Creating a safer fire environment for your horses and livestock By implementing better land management practices and routine property maintenance, you can reduce the overall risk to your property and animals. If you live on smaller rural properties, talk to your neighbours and work together to make your pocket of paradise a safer place to be in summer! Grass and trees Keeping grass height to less than 15cm will usually produce lower intensity fires. Elimination of weeds (especially woody weeds such as gorse and blackberries) improves pasture, decreases fire intensity and vermin. Treed areas create wind breaks which have many benefits such as: reduces the speed of fire; provides shade and shelter for animals; and erosion caused by wind. Shelters in paddocks can provide protection against radiant heat. More trees can also result in more fuel. Some commonly used trees are highly flammable and can provide a refuge for weeds if not maintained. Everything burns but better choices can be made to reduce the risk. If possible, try to avoid the following situations: Eucalypts with loose bark, particularly stringy and ribbon barks Low hanging branches (less than two metres from the ground) Cypress and pines High leaf / branch density (trees that produce a lot of leaves and branches) Trees and shrubs that retain dead branches Leaves with a waxy / oil coating If you already have this type of foliage on your horse property, you can reduce the risk by implementing routine management activities: Remove low hanging branches (any less than two metres above the ground) Remove woody weeds, particularly gorse Remove excess fallen timber Cut grass beneath trees
Creating a safer fire environment for your horses and livestock By implementing better land management practices and routine property maintenance, you can reduce the overall risk to your property and animals. If you live on smaller rural properties, talk to your neighbours and work together to make your pocket of paradise a safer place to be in summer! Grass and trees Keeping grass height to less than 15cm will usually produce lower intensity fires. Elimination of weeds (especially woody weeds such as gorse and blackberries) improves pasture, decreases fire intensity and vermin. Treed areas create wind breaks which have many benefits such as: reduces the speed of fire; provides shade and shelter for animals; and erosion caused by wind. Shelters in paddocks can provide protection against radiant heat. More trees can also result in more fuel. Some commonly used trees are highly flammable and can provide a refuge for weeds if not maintained. Everything burns but better choices can be made to reduce the risk. If possible, try to avoid the following situations: Eucalypts with loose bark, particularly stringy and ribbon barks Low hanging branches (less than two metres from the ground) Cypress and pines High leaf / branch density (trees that produce a lot of leaves and branches) Trees and shrubs that retain dead branches Leaves with a waxy / oil coating If you already have this type of foliage on your horse property, you can reduce the risk by implementing routine management activities: Remove low hanging branches (any less than two metres above the ground) Remove woody weeds, particularly gorse Remove excess fallen timber Cut grass beneath trees
fact-sheet-equine-bushfire-property-planning.docx