The Hotspots Fire Project is an education and training program the Nature Conservation Council runs with the NSW Rural Fire Service to increase understanding of the role of fire in the bush and how it can be best managed for a variety of outcomes.
Striking a balance
Those who live on the fringes of bushland are all too aware of the risks that wildfire poses to life and property, but fire is also vital for the survival of many plant species and the animals they support. The most up-to-date science now demonstrates that protecting life and property and enhancing wildlife habitat are not incompatible goals, as was once commonly believed.
Education and training
The Hotspots Fire Project is an education and training program we run with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) to increase understanding of the role of fire in the bush and how it can be best managed for a variety of outcomes. We believe that well-informed and well-prepared communities complement the roles of land managers and fire agencies, and that a shared approach to fire management is critical for effective planning.
Since 2005, the Hotspots team has run more than 110 workshops for over 1,400 landholders. These have resulted in 670 property fire management plans covering about 140,000 hectares. The workshops, which are held over two days, are based on the latest science and practical, on-the-ground experience of fire management professionals. They give landholders the knowledge and skills they need to develop fire management plans and conduct burns that reduce the risk of dangerous wildfire damaging their property, while also enhancing wildlife habitat.
Over the two days, participants learn about fire behavior and its relationship to local vegetation and threatened species. The first day workshop walks participants through the theory of fire and fire planning. The second day is practical and includes a demonstration burn. For full details about the Hotspots Fire Project workshops, visit the Hotspots website.
Workshops
See the workshops map on the Hotspots website for details of coming workshops, or subscribe to the Hotspots newsletter.