Logging not greenies to blame for past lack of fuel reduction burning
The Esplin Inquiry Report of the Inquiry into the 2002-2003 Victorian Bushfires (2003) included an analysis of prescribed fires between 1991 and 2003.
There are three types of prescribed burns conducted on public land:
- fuel reduction burns;
- burning after clearfell logging to promote regrowth; and
- burning for ecological purposes.
The Esplin Inquiry noted that between 1991 and 2003, resources had been diverted away from fuel reduction burns to focus on the burning of logging coups to promote regrowth (so called regeneration burns).
Number of burns
Esplin found that between 1991 and 2003, the number of burns conducted after logging dominated, representing an average of 63% of prescribed burns each year compared with 33% for fuel reduction (See figure 10.1 below).
Figure 10.1 from Part B Esplin Inquiry: 
Area of burns
However between 1991 and 2003 the average area burnt each year due to logging is tiny, at only 2% compared with 90% for fuel reduction burns. Why? The average size of each logging burn is 24ha compared with 700ha for each fuel reduction burn (See figure 10.2 below).
Figure 10.2 from Part B Esplin Inquiry:
The Esplin Inquiry found that the limited resources to conduct all forms of prescribed burns had historically been diverted away from fuel reduction and ecological burns in order to priorities post-logging burns (see 10.36 extract below).
In Section 10.36(1) Esplin nominated options to increase levels of fuel reduciton burning (See text highlighted in red).
Extract from Part B Esplin Inquiry:
10.36 (1) A very large number of fires in most districts of the North East and Gippsland Regions are regeneration burns and so do not address fuel reduction issues across broad areas. The requirement to undertake regeneration burns in logging coupes as a priority may limit the time (and remaining suitable weather days) available to complete planned burns for fuel reduction. Such a limitation could be overcome if there were more crews and equipment, or if the requirement for regeneration burns decreased significantly (for example, through a reduction in annual area logged).
(2) The number and area of burns for fuel reduction has declined more markedly through the 1990s than has that for regeneration burns. This implies either:
• A reduction in resources available for delivery of burn programs (for example, reduction in staff numbers and budget); and/or
• A strategic diversion of resources to other activities deemed to be more important.
The Inquiry understands that privatisation of the plantation forestry and water supply sectors – and cuts to budgets – have been accompanied by a reduction in staff employed to manage fire (as noted earlier in this Chapter).
(3) The seasonal window of time for management burning is narrow: nearly all management burning occurs in autumn (mostly in March and April).
Logging industry response
OREN went to the media. VicForests wrote to OREN (see letter pdf) in response to a Crikey media story. In their letter, VicForests acknowledged there was a historic lack of fuel reduction burns due to logging practices and detailed new arrangements are in place to try and remedy the situation.
It is likely there will always be conflict over resources for logging coupe burn offs and fuel reduction burns. There needs to be ongoing close examination to determine if resources for burning off logging coupes take priority over general fuel reduction burning.
Don't know the meaning of a word? Check the glossary.