CFA brigades from across District 12 and District 13 supported by members from the State Planned Burn Taskforce conducted a 5.2ha fuel reduction burn at Koriella on Saturday 20 March.
The planned burn was conducted on the site of the old Koriella railway station along the Great Victoria Rail Trail and was intended to reduce the overall accumulation of fuels that have built up in the area over many years. A recent overall fuel hazard assessment rating conducted on the site identified the area as having a very high fuel load; the planned burn was intended to reduce this to an overall rating of low.
Conditions on the day were ideal for planned burning with low temperatures and a predicted rain event the following day. The site contained many old growth trees which were excluded from the burn by crews prior to burning.
The planned burn was very successful and achieved an overall reduction in fuel loading of between 60 and 70 per cent across the planned burn area resulting in a reclassification of Overall Fuel Hazard of the planned burn area of Low.
State Planned Burn taskforce members undertaking ignition along the Great Victoria Rail Trail.
The planned burn could not have been possible with the assistance of partners Murrindindi Shire who supplied a bulk water carrier for the day, and Rural Roads Victoria.
Thanks to the following brigades who attended on the day: Koriella, Alexandra, Eildon, Thornton, Buxton, Yarck, Trawool, Narbethong, Limestone, White Heads Creek, Kinglake West, Montrose, Alexandra Group and the D12 HQ Brigade, as well as the State Planned burn Taskforce
