Thread: Gippslands burning again

Why is it that large areas of Gippsland burn every year? Doesn't anyone clear the built up fuel off the ground? Have preventative burns in the cooler months? My rellies in the Blue Mountains (four generations) are meticulous about cleaning their properties of timber, leaves, dry grass. Clear ground around houses or sheds. Minimum 4' brick/block stone walls around houses. They are horrified at the homes built by new residents nestled in the bush.

just got back from having a look at the fires. If the fire turns north east we are going to cop it. Looks to be burning south west at the moment,back over its self.We are all set up ready to take it on.Most of the roads closed off. Going to be a long night again. Sorry to hear of your loss Vern. Ya family is safe and thats the important thing.

AS for why it burns so well. its the best burning bush in the world. Its either to wet or to hot to burn in a controlled way.You only get about a month leeway between wet and bloody dry with winds that come from nothing in no time.

Originally Posted by waynep

Hope and pray all is OK ...

saw the smoke from the Endeavour Hills fire tonight on the way home ..... wouldn't be surprised if that was deliberate too.

The smoke from these fires is beginning to filter through the house. The wife picked it first so sent me on a mad dash outside to see if some lunatic tossed a ciggy.


Tourists are advised to avoid the following areas: The Police Paddocks Reserve, Lysterfield Lake Park and Churchill National Park

Road closures currently in place:

• Churchill Park Drive and Bergins Road
• Power Road and Kennington Park Drive
• Churchill Park Drive and Parkside Boulevard

Resources committed to this fire are: 80 trucks 3 dozers 3 aircraft 350 personnel


Great commitment from these guys

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Why is it that large areas of Gippsland burn every year? Doesn't anyone clear the built up fuel off the ground? Have preventative burns in the cooler months? My rellies in the Blue Mountains (four generations) are meticulous about cleaning their properties of timber, leaves, dry grass. Clear ground around houses or sheds. Minimum 4' brick/block stone walls around houses. They are horrified at the homes built by new residents nestled in the bush.

It's a deliberately lit fire in bushland, with pine plantations all around, who do you suggest comes to clear it?
All the locals can do is hope and be thankful for the efforts of those involved in fighting the fires.

my place is fairly cleared so thats why my shed was saved, and Brian, its mainly pine plantation and state park, who's expected to clear that, its 44 bloody degrees here.
Matt's actually up at Jeerelang, spoke to him earlier and its still miles away, his old mans is at yinnar south, but there is a fair bit of farming land between so all should be ok.
Oh and camper was un insured, we were talking about it the week before as our contents would not cover it.
Hey its only money and time to replace it, its more about my family and memories and documents of our kids and paperwork for our business thats a concern.
If its unlivable short term, then Matt (rovercare) has offered us his house which we are very very appreciative of.
Wait and see what happens

Originally Posted by moose

It's a deliberately lit fire in bushland, with pine plantations all around, who do you suggest comes to clear it?
All the locals can do is hope and be thankful for the efforts of those involved in fighting the fires.

Perhaps the Forestry Dept. or whatever it is called in Victoria? They have reduction burns in state forests here. Perhaps land owners might have a vested interest in keeping their land clean also? Might save their homes if there is no fuel and there is plenty of open space around the house.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Why is it that large areas of Gippsland burn every year? Doesn't anyone clear the built up fuel off the ground? Have preventative burns in the cooler months? My rellies in the Blue Mountains (four generations) are meticulous about cleaning their properties of timber, leaves, dry grass. Clear ground around houses or sheds. Minimum 4' brick/block stone walls around houses. They are horrified at the homes built by new residents nestled in the bush.

G'day Brian,

Gippsland is a big area (33,000 sq Km). Much of it is remote. Parts of it burn each year. The big fires a few years back (2004?) were pretty much left to run their course. Remote areas - protect lives, then property - the rest can burn.

I'm not suggesting there shouldn't be proactive managment - Burn offs etc.

My point is, you hear more about Gippsland fires because it is a larger and more remote (in parts) area than the Blue Mountains.

I am sure there are many meticlous Gippslanders.

Cheers