Naturally occurring fires and those used by Aboriginal people have been significant in shaping the distribution and composition of much of Australia's flora and fauna over thousands of years. Many native species possess survival strategies that ensure their persistence through events such as fire and drought. A number of species require particular fire regimes to regenerate their habitats while others require long fire-free intervals to ensure their continued survival.

The Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is responsible for fire management on all public land in the state of Victoria including land managed by Parks Victoria. Parks Victoria works in close partnership with DSE as well as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to ensure coordinated management of wildfires and prescribed burning.

For more information on wildfire suppression, current fires and road closures visit www.dse.vic.gov.au.

Ecological burns

The management of fire is of critical importance to the state's biodiversity. Parks Victoria aims to maximise ecological outcomes from all prescribed burns and minimise detrimental ecological impacts from unplanned burns in parks. The majority of prescribed burns are conducted for fuel reduction objectives with a smaller area burnt primarily for ecological objectives.

Parks Victoria participated in the preparation of Guidelines and Procedures for Ecological Burning on Public Land in Victoria (2004) and has have prepared more that 20 ecological burning strategies since 2000 for areas including 33 parks.

Resources Guidelines and Procedures for Ecological Burning on Public Land in Victoria (2004) see DSE website www.dse.vic.gov.au. (Fire & the Environment / Effects of Fire on the Environment / Fire & Biodiversity)