Elements and Performance Criteria
- Plan burn activities
- Develop working relationships that will assist in the planning and implementation of traditional Aboriginal cultural burning on Country with stakeholders
- Identify and consult appropriate cultural authorities and obtain approval to be on Country
- Obtain cultural knowledge through the appropriate knowledge holder or Cultural Manager
- Identify ceremonial requirements for fire practices necessary for inclusion in burn plan
- Develop a burning plan and schedule for the target area based on traditional cultural knowledge of seasonal conditions, historical information on burns, Aboriginal ceremonial requirements, legislative requirements, environmental sustainability, biosecurity and work health and safety considerations and safety concerns
- Advise local fire services and agencies of proposed burn plan
- Protect life, property and conserve fauna and flora species in burn area
- Implement burn according to Aboriginal cultural burning techniques and consistent with the burn plan and schedule
- Exclude visitors from target areas, entertainment areas and areas possibly affected by smoke or risk from escaping fire
- Advise neighbours and agencies of the intention to burn to ensure safety and maintain client relations
- Protect Aboriginal sites, assets and entertainment areas according to Aboriginal cultural protocols and fire industry practices
- Apply fire breaks to the area to maintain control of the fire and burn intensity
- Remove animals in danger in the burn area before starting the controlled cultural burn, where possible
- Assess flora for impact on fire-sensitive communities and species
- Burn defined areas
- Maintain radio communication with other workers in the area throughout the burn
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow work health and safety policies and procedures during the burn
- Assess weather forecasts and current weather conditions to determine appropriate conditions and timing for burn
- Use appropriate ignition techniques, patterns, fire control and safety procedures to conduct the burn
- Apply fire to targeted areas according to Aboriginal cultural burning techniques, traditional frequency and organisation requirements
- Identify targeted areas defined by burn specification or limiting factors
- Check area to ensure all sections have received required burn in accordance with the burning plan
- Complete and record assessment of burn
- Monitor burning area to avoid wildfire outbreaks
- Assess seasonal conditions and life cycles of flora and fauna for the end of fire practices