Fire management

Fire is a natural part of the Australian environment. With lightning and indigenous burning practices having shaped our ecosystems over tens of thousands of years, many of our plants are reliant on bushfire to regenerate and maintain their health.

We work alongside other agencies to reduce the risk and impact of bushfire through careful management of parks and reserves.

As part of managing Victoria's parks and reserves, Parks Victoria supports the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) as part of Forest Fire Management Victoria to prepare for, fight and recover from bushfires on public land. 

Hear from some of the 800 rangers, project firefighters, and office staff who work together as part of Forest Fire Management Victoria to protect local communities and our unique natural environment from the impacts of bushfire.

Safer Together

A new approach to reducing the risk of bushfire in Victoria - See more at: www.delwp.vic.gov.au/safer-together

Prepare

We work year round to prepare parks and reserves to reduce the potential impact of fire through planned burning and other fuel reduction.

Respond

Around 70 percent of Parks Victoria staff are trained in specific fire fighting roles. Each summer, many rangers and office staff are deployed to fight fires in parks and forests across the state.

Recover

Many recent bushfires have burnt large sections of our national parks and forests. Parks Victoria works to rebuild and reopen bushfire affected areas and support the natural environment in its recovery.

Hear how plants and animals in parks recover after fire. Parks Victoria has over 800 rangers, project firefighters, and office staff who work together as part of Forest Fire Management Victoria to protect local communities and our unique natural environment from the impacts of bushfire.

Ecology

Fire is a natural part of the Australian environment. With lightning and indigenous burning practices having shaped our ecosystems over tens of thousands of years, many of our plants are reliant on bushfire to regenerate and maintain their health. In line with this, Parks Victoria also uses planned ecological burning to support and develop biodiversity values in our parks.

Vegetation removal on a public land boundary

Fuel break grass slashing occurs annually along many park boundaries as part of bushfire preparedness works. This fact sheet (link to attached) explains more about why and when slashing happens. Maps of grass slashing locations can be found as part of the Joint Fuel Management Plan – be sure to turn on the ‘Mechanical Works’ layer. 

Find out about annual grass slashing for fire management vehicle access. 

Stay safe

It's always a great time to enjoy a visit to a park. Find out how you can stay safe when you visit during the bushfire season.

Fire affected parks

Parks Victoria will close parks to protect public safety in response to bushfires and days of certain fire danger ratings. Check conditions before you visit, especially if it is hot, dry, and windy and keep out of closed parks for your own safety. Stay informed and be prepared to ensure your experience is safe and enjoyable during the bushfire season.

Forest firefighters' presumptive rights compensation

The Victorian Government has committed to introducing presumptive rights to compensation for occupational cancer for all Victorian firefighters. The Forests Amendment (Forest Firefighters Presumptive Rights Compensation) Act 2021 (the Act) has passed in the Victorian Parliament but has not yet come into effect. The forest firefighters presumptive rights scheme is an important recognition of the contribution forest firefighters make to the protection of our communities and the environment.

For the most up-to-date information about presumptive rights compensation for forest firefighters, please refer to WorkSafe Victoria’s presumptive rights.