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SUMMARY
A study of 109 lightning-strikes recorded between 1959 and 1974 in the Ovens plantation, north-eastern Victoria, has shown a significantly higher frequency of lightning-strikes near stand boundaries, roads, and clearings, than in other areas of the plantation.
The results suggest that increased lightning-strike frequency, and accumulation of debris along the stand fringes result in high fire hazard in these areas. This high fire hazard can be reduced by removing fuels available for ignition.
It is likely that the number of lightning-strikes in high fire hazard areas of the Ovens plantation can be reduced by creating fewer and narrower stand-boundary clearings, firebreaks and road clearings, and by applying silvicultural techniques aimed at minimising air turbulence, which appears to be one of the prime factors associated with lightning-strikes in this area.