The end-of Winter Burn-off.

Just look at this grass. Dry. Brown. Tall.(well, waist high)

You can understand that the bushfire threat is high this summer, and that, in our state, Queensland, land-owners are encouraged to burn off their excess fuel before summer starts.

Protocols must be followed.
A fire permit, issued by the local fire warden, is given.
Burn-offs must not begin before 4pm, and wind speeds must be less than 10 knots.
Safety measures must be in place in case an emergency arises.

BEFORE:  Future bushfire fuel, unless burnt out now.

AFTER:  the long, dry grass has gone. Summer fire risk reduced.

Last week conditions were right. Last week we did our burn-offs.

We had long grass on the "bottom" block, and the fires there were very different from those on the "top" block, where our grapes grow.

Our bottom block does not have any grape vines on it.
We burnt off the two blocks on two afternoons.


The Bottom Block Burn-Off.

 

Starting the fires for the burn-off.

The flames take off.

..and burn well....

...but you must be ready to extinguish any stray flames.

A truck ready for any emergencies when burning off.

This specially equipped truck belongs to one of our neighbouring farmers.

It has a water tank, and long hose, as you can see, plus a generator, and galvanised iron buckets.

We needed such equipment when the scrubby bottom block was burnt.  Equipment "just in case"

The Top Block Burn-Off

Burning off on the top block...between the vines and the road.

A tractor, with a water tank behind, ready, if needed.

...plus a wet hessian sack to beat out wayward flames.

The "top block" did not have as much dried grass  (i.e. less fuel) as the bottom block, so the truck was not necessary.  This time water was carried in a water tank, behind the tractor.

You can tell from the photos that the fire was not nearly as fierce as the fires on the bottom block.

The weekend following our burn-offs, many other farmers were also doing their bit to reduce the possibility of Summer bushfires.  This photo is taken looking across our vineyard towards the hills of the next valley. You can see the smoke from the burn-off fires there.

Burning off in the next valley to us.

10 years ago fierce bushfires raged through the valley shown, and one person lost their life. So we are all aware of the importance of taking the necessary precautions.

We all hope for a quieter summer, re bushfires.