- Published:
- 21 Aug 2026
- Published by:
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
I, Chris Hardman, Chief Fire Officer, as delegate of the Secretary of the Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action, give notice pursuant to section 7(1)(a) of the Safety on Public Land Act 2004, that I have made a public safety zone declaration published in the Victoria Government Gazette.
The declaration made on 20/08/2026 takes effect 01/09/2026 to 28/02/2027 inclusive.
They specify areas of state forest which have been declared public safety zones for,
- conducting fire operations and the maintenance of public safety.
Activities identified on the Joint Fuel Management Program (JFMP), are known as Fire Operations.
The area where these activities occur are known as a Fire Operations Area and includes a ‘Buffer’ of 150 metres outside the perimeter of any Fire Operations Area.
A Public Safety Zone (PSZ) may be applied to a Fire Operations Area.
The declaration specifies the period for which the areas have been declared public safety zones; the times or periods during which access to the public safety zones is restricted or prohibited; activities permitted, prohibited, or restricted in the public safety zones; restrictions or conditions (if any) applying to the public safety zones; and persons or classes of persons exempt from their operation.
A copy of the maps showing the location of Fire Operations is available at Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action web site at: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/JFMP.
A copy of the declaration is available at Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action web site at: https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/permits-and-regulations/closures-of-parks-and-forests
The declaration and maps showing the location of Fire Operations may be inspected at the Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, by appointment with the Joint Fuel Management Program Coordinator, telephone 136 186.
Fire Operations include planned burns and mechanical fuel treatments such as fuel breaks, mowing, slashing, mulching, spraying, rolling, and grazing.
Active planned burns are listed on the Planned Burns Victoria Website as either ‘Within 10 Days’, ‘Next 24 hours’, ‘Now’ or ‘Patrol’.
Chris Hardman,
Chief Fire Officer,
as delegate of the Secretary of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Updated