Fire and Smoke during DB Scout Park burn

Weather conditions in Upper Beaconsfield have finally been suitable for a fuel reduction burn at the Dallas Brooks Scout Park. Personnel and equipment from many Fire Brigades-CFA units combined to complete the preparation, the burn, and the post-burn patrols. Although we love the beauty of the natural bush, the Dallas Brooks Scout Camp owners, managers, friends, and users remain committed to reducing the risks of another Ash Wednesday 1983 tragedy.

What is a fuel reduction burn?

A fuel reduction burn is a planned burn of vegetation usually in areas where there is a high risk of bushfire. Under strict protocols, supervision, and safety precautions fires are lit to burn ground-level vegetation. Generally speaking, tree canopies are not the target of these burns. However, some trees which may be dangerous to workers during a burn, may be felled.

Fuel reduction burns do not claim to stop bushfires. However, there is very strong evidence that reducing the ground fuel significantly reduces the intensity of a future bushfire.

20% of Scout Camp burned

The last fuel reduction burn at Dallas Brooks Scout Park was conducted in 2018. That burn was in a more southerly section of the Park. Several subsequent burns have been planned but had to be postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions.  The 2024 burn was restricted to a north-west section of the Park – approximately 20% of the total park area.

The next planned burn

There are no set dates for a further fuel reduction burn at Dallas Brooks Scout Park at this stage.

Dangers after a burn

The local fire brigade generally advises that visitors to the Park avoid the burned areas. Falling trees and limbs are not uncommon at the park in high winds or after heavy rain. Such occurrences may be more likely after a burn. For visitors to the park, please be mindful of the potential for falling trees and limbs.

As the use of the Park is by booking only, campers will be using the more southern part of the property.

Who did the Dallas Brooks Scout Camp burn?

The list of Brigades, Units, and Departments involved is very long. The following list is provided courtesy of the Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade-CFA. We have also used some of their photos, with permission. Our thanks to all involved.

Brigades and resources that made the burn possible:

Packenham Upper CFA, Beaconsfield Fire Brigade-CFA, Officer Fire Brigade, Lang Lang Fire Brigade – CFA, Flinders Rural Fire Brigade, Balnarring CFA, Phiillip Island Fire Brigade, San Remo CFA, Bayles Fire Brigade-CFA, Gembrook Rural Fire Brigade-CFA, Selby Fire Brigade (CFA), Phillip Island Nature Parks, Fire Management Victoria, CFA Vegetation Management, CFA Commanders, CFA Planned Burn Taskforce and anyone else we have missed.

For more information about the Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade-CFA, check out their Facebook page