Wildlife & Traffic
10 Maintenance of ecological assets on transport linear infrastructure
Contents
Management of verges to reduce forest fire risk in sensitive areas
INSPECTION TASKS
To check
- No dead vegetation, particularly shrubs or trees, is present at verges close to circulation platforms.
- No plants particularly well-adapted to fire (pyrophytes) or any vegetation that could contribute to initiation or propagation of fire are found close to circulation platforms.
SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE TASKS
To do
- Keep verge vegetation tightly mowed in the strip close to circulation platforms to reduce risk of fire.
- Remove fallen trees, dried vegetation, debris and any other easily inflammable material from road verges.
- Relocate or remove existing individuals of particular problematic species, that burn easily or even can contribute to spread the fire such as pine trees, eucalyptus, or rock roses (Cistus sp).
- Work with forest fire authorities to identify potential firebreak sections of roads and railways where appropriate verge management, without trees, bushes or plants that burn fast, would assist in control of large forest fires.
SCHEDULE
- At least once a year, before periods of high risk of forest fire (usually end of spring).
- Additional inspections should be planned following weather conditions or events increasing forest fire risk.
Maintenance of ecological assets on transport linear infrastructure