How this industry protects crops from the smell of smoke

Wine producers in northeastern Victoria are hoping improved communication and fire season preparedness can deliver better results for the local industry.

Key Points:The North East Vineyard Working Group met with the CFA and others ahead of the fire seasonA key focus of the discussions is to improve communication between grape growers and farmers who undertake prescribed burnsGroup president says local wine industry lost $142 million in Black Summer bushfires

Northeast Wine Zone Task Force , formed after the Black Summer bushfires, held meetings with the Country Fire Authority (CFA), farmers and other stakeholders in the pre-season.

Group Chairman Robert Hawkings said he was eager to avoid the significant impacts the local wine industry had felt during the Black Summer bushfires.

"The direct loss was approximately $142 million," he said.

"[That] was quite significant and certainly caused a lot of trouble especially since it was followed so quickly thereafter by COVID."

Working Together

Mr. Hawkings said the impacts of smoke smell on crops was the number one issue the group wanted to address.

He said there was a lot of concern among growers about the impact prescribed burns could have in particular areas.

Robert Hawkings says Robert Hawkings says there have been discussions about the timing of prescribed burns. (Supplied: Georgie James)

"We have been working with CFA, Forest Fire Management and others for many years but on a regional basis to try and - if they are going to get burned at some point - make sure there are as few people affected as possible," he said.

"What we've been able to do year is to get together across the whole northeast to have a broad ger on this to try to make sure we're working together."

Mr. about 100 smoke sensors in the region that would collect data on the likely impact of smoke compounds in the atmosphere on grape crops.

CFA Local Involvement

The Fire Danger Period (FDP) for Victoria's North and North East Council Areas begins on Monday.

The CFA said it became involved in the North East Vineyard Working Group meetings due to the fact that a large number of stubble burns for farmers have had place while the FDP was still in effect and permits were to be issued for the burns.

District 24 Commander Brett Myers said the formation of the local wine group was very well received.

" The community has identified this issue between the two industries and of course it involves us because it relates to the use of fire," he said.

"So we are more than satisfied...