Description: Land and emergency management agencies in Australia and overseas recognise the importance of an access network to support bushfire management activities. Ground and aerial access provides a platform for fire reduction and readiness activities and provides opportunities to contain fires before they escalate into major fires that could otherwise incur significant costs and potentially significant losses to community, cultural and environmental values.
Fire access within the ACT consists of a network of roads, tracks and trails that support fire prevention, readiness and response activities. The identification and maintenance of fire access is an integral element of fire management across the ACT.
Access management is divided into four areas:
1. maintenance
2. upgrade
3. construction
4. vegetation removal.
ACT PCS Fire Management Unit currently manage and maintain approximately 3,218 kilometres of roads and fire trails within the ACT. The classification of fire roads, tracks and trails is performance based to provide clear guidance to response agencies during incidents.
Ground access is defined in four classes:
1. Float road – an access road or trail accessible to a low loader float carrying a large bulldozer or other heavy equipment.
2. Tanker road – a fire trail of strategic importance accessible to a heavy tanker and a tipper carrying a small bulldozer.
3. Light unit trail – a fire trail accessible at minimum standard for a light unit.
4. Dormant fire trail – a trail that has been deliberately closed or not maintained and can be quickly re-opened with minimal works.
The objective of ground access works are to upgrade and maintain road pavements within the parks and reserves of the ACT to the above four classes standard under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. Many areas require ongoing general maintenance or upgrading to an appropriate standard. This is done principally to provide reliable access for operational requirements and for fire suppression activities in the event of a wildfire that may threaten the ACT.
Vegetation removal work is conducted by mechanical mulchers that reduce vegetation on roads and trails that impede access for operational and fire suppression requirements identified under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. The Parks and Conservation Service Fire Management Unit also commit a number of other contracted resources (graders, trucks, rollers, excavators and backhoes etc) to conduct daily scheduled maintenance as well as upgrade and construction services on a yearly basis within the ACT.
These activities are described in a yearly program of work referred to as the Bushfire Operations Plan (BOP), which sets out activities to meet the requirements of the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan for the ACT (SBMP).
Description: Land and emergency management agencies in Australia and overseas recognise the importance of an access network to support bushfire management activities. Ground and aerial access provides a platform for fire reduction and readiness activities and provides opportunities to contain fires before they escalate into major fires that could otherwise incur significant costs and potentially significant losses to community, cultural and environmental values.
Fire access within the ACT consists of a network of roads, tracks and trails that support fire prevention, readiness and response activities. The identification and maintenance of fire access is an integral element of fire management across the ACT.
Access management is divided into four areas:
1. maintenance
2. upgrade
3. construction
4. vegetation removal.
ACT PCS Fire Management Unit currently manage and maintain approximately 3,218 kilometres of roads and fire trails within the ACT. The classification of fire roads, tracks and trails is performance based to provide clear guidance to response agencies during incidents.
Ground access is defined in four classes:
1. Float road – an access road or trail accessible to a low loader float carrying a large bulldozer or other heavy equipment.
2. Tanker road – a fire trail of strategic importance accessible to a heavy tanker and a tipper carrying a small bulldozer.
3. Light unit trail – a fire trail accessible at minimum standard for a light unit.
4. Dormant fire trail – a trail that has been deliberately closed or not maintained and can be quickly re-opened with minimal works.
The objective of ground access works are to upgrade and maintain road pavements within the parks and reserves of the ACT to the above four classes standard under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. Many areas require ongoing general maintenance or upgrading to an appropriate standard. This is done principally to provide reliable access for operational requirements and for fire suppression activities in the event of a wildfire that may threaten the ACT.
Vegetation removal work is conducted by mechanical mulchers that reduce vegetation on roads and trails that impede access for operational and fire suppression requirements identified under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. The Parks and Conservation Service Fire Management Unit also commit a number of other contracted resources (graders, trucks, rollers, excavators and backhoes etc) to conduct daily scheduled maintenance as well as upgrade and construction services on a yearly basis within the ACT.
These activities are described in a yearly program of work referred to as the Bushfire Operations Plan (BOP), which sets out activities to meet the requirements of the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan for the ACT (SBMP).
Description: Land and emergency management agencies in Australia and overseas recognise the importance of an access network to support bushfire management activities. Ground and aerial access provides a platform for fire reduction and readiness activities and provides opportunities to contain fires before they escalate into major fires that could otherwise incur significant costs and potentially significant losses to community, cultural and environmental values.
Fire access within the ACT consists of a network of roads, tracks and trails that support fire prevention, readiness and response activities. The identification and maintenance of fire access is an integral element of fire management across the ACT.
Access management is divided into four areas:
1. maintenance
2. upgrade
3. construction
4. vegetation removal.
ACT PCS Fire Management Unit currently manage and maintain approximately 3,218 kilometres of roads and fire trails within the ACT. The classification of fire roads, tracks and trails is performance based to provide clear guidance to response agencies during incidents.
Ground access is defined in four classes:
1. Float road – an access road or trail accessible to a low loader float carrying a large bulldozer or other heavy equipment.
2. Tanker road – a fire trail of strategic importance accessible to a heavy tanker and a tipper carrying a small bulldozer.
3. Light unit trail – a fire trail accessible at minimum standard for a light unit.
4. Dormant fire trail – a trail that has been deliberately closed or not maintained and can be quickly re-opened with minimal works.
The objective of ground access works are to upgrade and maintain road pavements within the parks and reserves of the ACT to the above four classes standard under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. Many areas require ongoing general maintenance or upgrading to an appropriate standard. This is done principally to provide reliable access for operational requirements and for fire suppression activities in the event of a wildfire that may threaten the ACT.
Vegetation removal work is conducted by mechanical mulchers that reduce vegetation on roads and trails that impede access for operational and fire suppression requirements identified under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. The Parks and Conservation Service Fire Management Unit also commit a number of other contracted resources (graders, trucks, rollers, excavators and backhoes etc) to conduct daily scheduled maintenance as well as upgrade and construction services on a yearly basis within the ACT.
These activities are described in a yearly program of work referred to as the Bushfire Operations Plan (BOP), which sets out activities to meet the requirements of the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan for the ACT (SBMP).
Description: Land and emergency management agencies in Australia and overseas recognise the importance of an access network to support bushfire management activities. Ground and aerial access provides a platform for fire reduction and readiness activities and provides opportunities to contain fires before they escalate into major fires that could otherwise incur significant costs and potentially significant losses to community, cultural and environmental values.
Fire access within the ACT consists of a network of roads, tracks and trails that support fire prevention, readiness and response activities. The identification and maintenance of fire access is an integral element of fire management across the ACT.
Access management is divided into four areas:
1. maintenance
2. upgrade
3. construction
4. vegetation removal.
ACT PCS Fire Management Unit currently manage and maintain approximately 3,218 kilometres of roads and fire trails within the ACT. The classification of fire roads, tracks and trails is performance based to provide clear guidance to response agencies during incidents.
Ground access is defined in four classes:
1. Float road – an access road or trail accessible to a low loader float carrying a large bulldozer or other heavy equipment.
2. Tanker road – a fire trail of strategic importance accessible to a heavy tanker and a tipper carrying a small bulldozer.
3. Light unit trail – a fire trail accessible at minimum standard for a light unit.
4. Dormant fire trail – a trail that has been deliberately closed or not maintained and can be quickly re-opened with minimal works.
The objective of ground access works are to upgrade and maintain road pavements within the parks and reserves of the ACT to the above four classes standard under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. Many areas require ongoing general maintenance or upgrading to an appropriate standard. This is done principally to provide reliable access for operational requirements and for fire suppression activities in the event of a wildfire that may threaten the ACT.
Vegetation removal work is conducted by mechanical mulchers that reduce vegetation on roads and trails that impede access for operational and fire suppression requirements identified under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. The Parks and Conservation Service Fire Management Unit also commit a number of other contracted resources (graders, trucks, rollers, excavators and backhoes etc) to conduct daily scheduled maintenance as well as upgrade and construction services on a yearly basis within the ACT.
These activities are described in a yearly program of work referred to as the Bushfire Operations Plan (BOP), which sets out activities to meet the requirements of the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan for the ACT (SBMP).
Description: Land and emergency management agencies in Australia and overseas recognise the importance of an access network to support bushfire management activities. Ground and aerial access provides a platform for fire reduction and readiness activities and provides opportunities to contain fires before they escalate into major fires that could otherwise incur significant costs and potentially significant losses to community, cultural and environmental values.
Fire access within the ACT consists of a network of roads, tracks and trails that support fire prevention, readiness and response activities. The identification and maintenance of fire access is an integral element of fire management across the ACT.
Access management is divided into four areas:
1. maintenance
2. upgrade
3. construction
4. vegetation removal.
ACT PCS Fire Management Unit currently manage and maintain approximately 3,218 kilometres of roads and fire trails within the ACT. The classification of fire roads, tracks and trails is performance based to provide clear guidance to response agencies during incidents.
Ground access is defined in four classes:
1. Float road – an access road or trail accessible to a low loader float carrying a large bulldozer or other heavy equipment.
2. Tanker road – a fire trail of strategic importance accessible to a heavy tanker and a tipper carrying a small bulldozer.
3. Light unit trail – a fire trail accessible at minimum standard for a light unit.
4. Dormant fire trail – a trail that has been deliberately closed or not maintained and can be quickly re-opened with minimal works.
The objective of ground access works are to upgrade and maintain road pavements within the parks and reserves of the ACT to the above four classes standard under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. Many areas require ongoing general maintenance or upgrading to an appropriate standard. This is done principally to provide reliable access for operational requirements and for fire suppression activities in the event of a wildfire that may threaten the ACT.
Vegetation removal work is conducted by mechanical mulchers that reduce vegetation on roads and trails that impede access for operational and fire suppression requirements identified under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. The Parks and Conservation Service Fire Management Unit also commit a number of other contracted resources (graders, trucks, rollers, excavators and backhoes etc) to conduct daily scheduled maintenance as well as upgrade and construction services on a yearly basis within the ACT.
These activities are described in a yearly program of work referred to as the Bushfire Operations Plan (BOP), which sets out activities to meet the requirements of the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan for the ACT (SBMP).
Description: The ACT Parks & Conservation Service (PCS) manages about 73% or roughly 187,000 ha across the ACT and the Googong Foreshore, NSW. PCS implements an extensive ongoing bushfire fuel management program. Fuel management can reduce fire behaviour and severity, improve firefighter safety, increase the probability of suppression and reduce the impacts of bushfires on natural and built assets. The three means for managing bushfire fuels are reduction, removal and conversion to a less flammable type, and are achieved by undertaking one of the following management activities;
1. Slashing
2. Grazing
3. Physical removal
4. Prescribed burn (PCS)
5. Prescribed burn (RFS)
6. Cultural burn
7. Ecological burn
Description: Prescribed burn – PCS as part of their land management duties, conduct prescribed burns which are commonly referred to as controlled burns or hazard reduction burns. Prescribed burns are of low intensity and conducted by experienced fire managers, supported by trained firefighters. Prescribed burns involve carefully lighting fires in a predetermined area under specific weather conditions.
Description: Cultural Burn - Cultural-Ecological burns are generally known as ‘cool burns’. They are generally of low-intensity and severity. Cultural burns take place within a traditional seasonal calendar indicated by certain native flora and fauna species. In the Western calendar, these burning practices take place throughout autumn. Burns are lit from multiple ignition points and ‘creep’ or ‘trickle’ through the surface, near-surface and elevated fuel layers with very little to no crown scorching (under 10% when lit in a forested area)
Description: Ecological Burn – Prescribed burns which are identified and implemented with the specific purpose of improving ecological health and/or stimulating responses from particular species. Monitoring of ecological burning seeks to measure the impact of these activities and their conservation value, particularly for threatened species and communities.
Description: Grazing - EPSDD delivers an intensive grazing program which encompasses 6,500ha consisting of 75 land parcels across the ACT. Grazing may be used to reduce fuels through routine agricultural production or through specifically targeted strategic grazing to meet fuel management objectives. Strategic grazing programs must consider target grass fuel loads, management objectives, the height, cover and type of grass, and biodiversity both within the adjacent sites. Grazing is undertaken in locations with palatable feed, stock-proof fencing, potable water and where it assists in meeting conservation aims. Grazing is generally not suitable directly adjacent to assets or in recreation areas.
Description: Physical removal - refers to the removal or reduction of fuels through the use of machinery and/or physical labour. Vegetation may be removed by hand or machine felled, and material may be chipped on site or taken away whole. The physical removal, thinning and pruning of tree, shrub and litter fuels is undertaken to reduce high fuel loads adjacent to assets.
Description: Slashing - EPSDD & TCCS implements and delivers a regular mowing program of the parkland, public open spaces and road verges. This is accomplished by mowing strips 10 - 30m wide. Grasses are generally maintained at specified heights, and the treatment aims to create a fuel reduced zone immediately adjacent to the urban edge and other assets.