For Northern Tasmanian property owner Dee Mills, the idea of using fuel reduction burns to manage bushfire risk had long been overshadowed by uncertainty, fear, and indecision. That changed with a single email – an invitation to a workshop run by the Red Hot Tips program.
“I was standing at a gate in the bush when I saw the email,” Dee recalls. “The title alone, Red Hot Tips, grabbed my attention and I signed up immediately.”
The two-day workshop in St Helens included a planned burn writing session and field site visits, giving participants the chance to turn theory into practice. For Dee, it was transformative.
“It was the most informative workshop I’ve ever attended,” she says. “I left feeling energised and confident. I realised that without proper planning, the land we intended to burn could become a real problem.”
With support from Red Hot Tips, Dee began preparing her 50-hectare property, 35 hectares of which are covered in waist-high Lomandra, Xanthorrhoea arenaria, rapidly multiplying Acacia sophorae, and cutting grass.
The team helped assess the terrain, advised on firebreaks (slashing vs. mulching), and recommended tools and equipment suited to both the landscape and budget. Following their advice, Dee created firebreaks that divided the land into three manageable blocks. But with mulch up to 300mm thick in places, it was essential to wait for the right conditions with autumn rains eventually providing the moisture needed to proceed safely.
Red Hot Tips didn’t just offer advice, they were there on the day of the burn, guiding Dee through each step of her first mentor burn. From notifying Firecomm to lighting a test fire, every action was deliberate and informed.
“I lit the main block with a drip torch,” Dee says.
“I thought it would be too heavy for me, but the sense of purpose carried me through. It was a hard, hot day’s work, but incredibly rewarding.”
As the fire moved across the land, Dee saw firsthand how slope and wind could be used to control fire behaviour.
“It was fascinating to watch and learn,” she says. Now, with three blocks successfully burned and a clear plan for future fuel management, Dee feels empowered, and grateful.
“The experience and support from Red Hot Tips has given me the confidence to prioritise and manage fuel loads into the future.”
