Fire Management on Shire Land

Fire management works are carried out in Fire Management Zones, which are generally located around reserve boundaries adjacent to assets and in high bushfire risk areas. Fire Management Zones are inspected to assess the overall fuel hazard level and to identify if works are required to reduce the fuel hazard to below acceptable limits.

There are two types of Fire Management Zones.

Asset Protection Zone

Asset Protection Zones (APZ) involve intensive fuel management, including slashing, to reduce the impact of flames or radiant heat from potential bushfire on assets (houses). APZs are generally located in areas immediately adjacent to assets, where they will be the most effective. They may also provide access for fire-fighting purposes.

Bushfire Moderation Zone

Bushfire Moderation Zones (BMZ) involve vegetation modification to reduce fuel hazard, spread and intensity of potential bushfire. BMZs are generally used to enhance the effectiveness of APZs and in other strategic areas. These zones involve less intensive fuel management than APZs, and require greater ecological consideration and environmental protection.

Zones are inspected either annually, or once every three years, depending on their risk profile.

You can use the interactive map below to view the fire management zones in your neighbourhood. Enter your address in the search bar at the top of the map to find your property. 

Asset Protection Zones are shown in light blue, and Bushfire Moderation Zones in dark blue.

Reports can be made online for a tree, vegetation or grass concern. If it is dangerous, please call 1300 850 600.

Planned or prescribed burns are a bushfire management tool used to reduce fuel loads, mitigate the threat of unplanned fires and maintain the health of plants and ecosystems that need fire. Planned burns on public land are usually carried out by in larger state government reserves, such as national and state parks, by Forest Fire Management Victoria.

Planned Burns in Shire Reserves

While most of the Shire's reserve fire management is achieved through the work we undertake in Fire Management Zones, the Shire occasionally conducts planned burns in some of our larger reserves, often working collaboratively with the Country Fire Authority.

Generally, planned burns set out to achieve both fuel management and ecological outcomes. While we look to reduce fuel within reserves, we also aim to stimulate the regeneration of fire tolerant species and restore or maintain typical vegetation structure for specific vegetation types. We also aim to reduce environmental weeds and carry out follow up weed control in burn sites.

When assessing potential sites for a planned burn there is a lot to consider, including fuel hazards, landscape context, fire ecology, burn history, burn suitability, surrounding land use, post-fire recovery, community impacts, risks to private property or other assets and environmental, cultural, heritage and community values. These are all evaluated by trained, experienced professionals as part of the Shire's comprehensive planned burning assessment process.

Staying Informed

Information on planned burns in Victoria is available on Forest Fire Management Victoria's Planned Burns page, the VicEmergency website or free call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.

When the Shire conducts a planned burn, we notify nearby residents directly and provide advice on this webpage.