Bushfire Prepare provides for low intensity (or cool) planned burning on private lands. Due to variation of vegetation types and fuel loads across individual properties, the fire intensity in these burns can vary dramatically. While the aim is to promote cool burning techniques, it is recognised that the characteristics of the burn block may not lend themselves to this type of burning. Nevertheless, there are numerous techniques available to minimise fire intensity. 

Landscape burning in Bushfire Prepare aims to reduce levels of surface, near surface and some elevated fuels. It does not aim to burn significant trees. Generally, properties in the Bushfire Prepare program are long-unburnt, often with extreme levels of fuel loads, which may be in excess of 20 tonnes per hectare. Consequently, in some cases, higher levels of fire intensity may be seen, particularly in shrubby and grassy vegetation and areas with large concentrations of dead (therefore drier) vegetation.

The focus of the program is to reduce the vertical and horizontal connectivity of the fuels, by reducing the surface, near surface and elevated fuels to reduce the incidence of fire climbing ladder fuels, and by creating separation between areas of fuel by creating mosaic burns or fuel breaks. It also contributes to the development of fuel reduced areas to moderate fire behaviour and protect assets of value. 

Fire intensity can be managed to some extent by the use of tighter prescriptions, however as fire intensity is also a function of fuel load and availability, it is sometimes unavoidable that flame heights in shrubby or grassy vegetation may reach up to three metres (assuming a flame height of 1.5 to 2 times the vegetation height). While some flame height reduction may be achieved by changing the fuel arrangement (by pushing or stamping down fuel or by mechanically removing fuel), it remains possible that high flame heights will still result.
Therefore, practitioners will need to be prepared for the potential of significant flame heights and consider this when determining their approach, resourcing, control strategy and lighting patterns.

Considerations may include pruning of elevated fuels, avoiding burning near understorey trees or mechanical removal of some of the fuel before ignition.

For more information on low-intensity burning, refer to the fact sheet.