Agricultural Fire Management Guidelines - Guide to Rural ...

3. Recovery planningPlanning for recovery is an important part of minimising theimpact of fi re. The period following a fi re can be diffi cult, butit can also provide an opportunity to implement change.• The Department of Human Services assists in meetingthe welfare needs of people.• The Department of Primary Industries provides technicalagricultural advice before and after a fi re.• The Department of Sustainability and Environmentprovides environmental advice.Section 3 Advicea. Recovery planningLandowners and managers are encouraged to plan forrecovery as part of an overall plan for fi re management ontheir property (see Fire management planning process,pages 10 and 11).Issues to consider in recovery plans include:• the welfare of people;• weed management, erosion control, environmentalissues;• stock management;• insurance needs (personal and business); and• possible changes to fencing, sheds and property layoutand enterprises.A number of organisations provide assistance before andafter a fi re has happened:• Local councils coordinate the recovery of the communityafter fi re. They are often the initial contact point forrecovery issues.b. Pasture managementLandowners and managers are encouraged to planahead to manage pasture after fi re. Pasture Recovery after Fire (Agriculture Note, DPI 1995)c. Stock management planHave a low-fuel area for stock during a wildfi re situation.This could be a grazed or green paddock or a grazedlaneway. Consider having a central laneway to managestock and move them before fi re threatens. Considertrucking out important stock where practical.Plan a containment area where stock can be fed aftera fi re. This reduces the risk of weed spread across theproperty. Monitor this area for weeds. Horses and Bushfi res (Agriculture Note, DPI 2007) Living in the Bush (CFA 2004)32 On the Land: Agricultural Fire Management Guidelines