Planned burns in Australia
24 planned (hazard-reduction / prescribed) burns are currently in the national near-real-time fire boundaries dataset — updated . Planned burns are deliberate and managed, but their smoke can still affect nearby areas.
Current planned burns
| Name | State | Area | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seacombe - Longford-Loch Sport Rd | VIC | 809 ha | Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
| Moema West Stage 1 | NSW | 663.9 ha | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Dragway HR | NSW | 104.5 ha | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Forestry Plantation HR - OLNEY SF 077-078 | NSW | 86.2 ha | Forestry Corporation of NSW |
| Porters HR Stage 2 | NSW | 74.4 ha | Rural Fire Service |
| Capertee Village South | NSW | 73.7 ha | Rural Fire Service |
| CAIRNCROSS WEST | NSW | 35.5 ha | Forestry Corporation of NSW |
| Jamieson - Mitchells Bridle Trail | VIC | 29.2 ha | Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
| Granite Flat - Dunstans Log Road | VIC | 6.2 ha | Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
| Jamieson - Mitchells Bridle Trail | VIC | 4.2 ha | Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
| Three Bees Hazard Reduction | NSW | 3.2 ha | Fire and Rescue NSW |
| Maramingo - Beckers Track | VIC | 2.9 ha | Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
| Waterside Parade, Peakhurst Heights | NSW | 2.7 ha | Fire and Rescue NSW |
| FB871 Old Depot | ACT | 2.5 ha | ACT Parks And Conservation Service |
| Atlantic Hazard Reduction | NSW | 2.5 ha | Fire and Rescue NSW |
| Horse Paddock HR - Bowen Mountain | NSW | 2.3 ha | Rural Fire Service |
| FB255 Hall | ACT | 2.2 ha | ACT Parks And Conservation Service |
| Carrum Downs - Boggy Creek Track | VIC | 1.2 ha | Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
| Newmerella - Mclaughlins Rd | VIC | 1.1 ha | Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
| CABBAGE TREE RD | VIC | 0.5 ha | Vic Country Fire Authority |
| DAYLESFORD-CLUNES RD | VIC | 0.4 ha | Vic Country Fire Authority |
| DARGO RD | VIC | 0.3 ha | Vic Country Fire Authority |
| Seacombe - Longford-Loch Sport Rd | VIC | 0.2 ha | Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
| Wemen - Pound Bend Camping Area | VIC | 0.1 ha | Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
WA prescribed burns are excluded for licensing reasons.
Why agencies light planned burns
Planned burning (also called hazard-reduction or prescribed burning) is a deliberate, controlled fire lit by fire and land-management agencies under carefully chosen weather conditions. By reducing the leaves, bark and undergrowth that fuel a fire, it lowers the intensity and spread of future bushfires and helps protect communities.
Burns are planned and announced in advance and shown as boundaries on the map. If you are sensitive to smoke, keep windows closed and check the air-quality page. A heat detection that is not a known planned burn may be a bushfire — check the official warnings.
Frequently asked questions
What is a planned or hazard-reduction burn?
A planned burn (also called prescribed or hazard-reduction burning) is a deliberate, controlled fire lit by agencies under safe conditions to reduce fuel loads and lower the risk of severe bushfires.
Is the smoke from a planned burn dangerous?
Planned burns are controlled, but their smoke can still affect nearby areas and sensitive people. If you are smoke-sensitive, keep windows closed and check the air-quality page.
How do I tell a planned burn from a bushfire?
Planned burns are pre-announced by agencies and shown as boundaries on the map. A heat detection that is not a known planned burn may be a bushfire — check the official warnings.
When do agencies do hazard-reduction burning?
Mostly in the cooler, calmer months (autumn and spring in the south, the early dry season in the north) when a fire can be lit and kept under control safely. Timing depends on weather, fuel moisture and air-quality conditions.
Can I be affected if a burn is planned near me?
You may see or smell smoke, and nearby roads can be affected. Agencies usually notify residents in advance. If you have a respiratory condition, keep windows closed and check the air-quality page.
Why are WA prescribed burns not shown?
Western Australia’s prescribed-burn data is published under a licence that does not permit re-use here, so those burns are excluded. Burns in other states come from the national near-real-time fire boundaries dataset.