Agricultural Fire Management Guidelines - Guide to Rural ...

c. Gatesthrough. Consider marking gates with a pole for easyidentifi cation if it is not obvious that a gate is present.Consider providing a gate into fenced-off areas ofvegetation for fi refi ghting access and for access tomanage these areas.d. Woodlots, windbreaks (shelterbelts) andfarm forestryProviding good access around and within planted timberareas provides benefi ts for fi re protection and access forgeneral management and harvesting activities.Consider having access breaks, at least 4 m wide and freeof overhanging trees to a height of 4 m, across long blocksof farm forestry, windbreaks or woodlots. Fire Risk Management for Farm Forestry (Agriculture Notes, DPI2002)e. CrossingsAll bridges, culverts and creek crossings need to have aload-bearing capacity of at least 15 tonnes where tankerfi re suppression services are required.f. Access in plantationsIt is encouraged that each point within the plantation beno more than 300 m from an access track, perimeterbreak or open paddock.Wherever possible, plantation estates should be dividedinto blocks no greater than 400 ha by access trackssimilar to perimeter breaks.g. Raised bedsIt can be diffi cult for fi refi ghting tankers to travel safelyacross raised beds. Landowners and managers withraised-bed crops are encouraged to have a perimeteraccess track or non-raised-bed section (headland)around the perimeter of raised-bed paddocks.This should generally be at least 7 m wide and free ofoverhanging trees to a height of 4 m to allow tankeraccess.Section 3 AdviceOn the Land: Agricultural Fire Management Guidelines51