The Victorian alpine fires salvage program: response, progress and lessons

Abstract

Summary On 8 January 2003, over 80 fires were ignited by lightning strikes across the remote forested and alpine areas of north-eastern Victoria and Gippsland. While most of the fires were rapidly controlled, a small number could not be contained and eventually merged to cover about 1.1 million ha. Of the 1 million ha of public land burnt, 440000 ha of State forest containing more than 87000 ha of commercially-valuable alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis R.T.Baker) stands were fire affected. Of these, around 7500 ha were initially assessed as being fire killed and considered economically suitable and accessible for salvage harvesting. Wood utilisation plans for an estimated 600 000 m3 gross of sawlog were developed to reflect resource availability for an intended two-year salvage program. Roads were identified and scheduled for upgrading to cater for the anticipated ten-fold increase in log truck traffic. The Victorian Government approved and supported a salvage program based on a formal business case put forward by Forestry Victoria (now VicForests). The salvage of fire-killed E. delegatensis stands was based on existing geographic management units and organisational structures, supported by additional staff to cater for the significantly increased planning and operational requirements. A limiting factor was the availability of harvesting and haulage contractors. The scale and environmental impact of the program were very different from those of normal operations. This led to the development of specific salvage harvesting prescriptions, using internal and external expertise with an emphasis on soils, water quality, and flora and fauna. A marketing plan catered for harvesting arrangements, resource allocation and distribution, financial considerations, and declining resource quality with time due to gradual surface drying and cracking of the boles. A communication strategy was critical in the early stages of the program, particularly with Local Government. The key issue with the community and other government organisations was the impact of increased log traffic on local roads. As of 31 December 2004 over 2190 ha had been harvested for a total of 201500 m3gross of sawlogs and 304 000 m3 gross of residual logs. Operations to recover sawlogs have extended through 2005 and 2006. The challenge of harvesting while optimising protection of fire-regenerated seedlings was well met by the use of mechanised harvesters. Monitoring for gaps in regeneration in harvest areas and in E. delegatensis logging coupes with regeneration less than 20 y old is ongoing. Areas requiring retreatment are mechanically disturbed and sown with seed collected from outside the fire area.