The insurance industry and firefighters have expressed their concern about a massive backlog of burn-offs planned for NSW bushfire zones in the wake of the massive devastation caused in the Victorian bushfires.

According to the NSW Rural Fire Service’s (RFS) 2007/08 annual report, only 58% of the scheduled bushfire “hazard reduction works” went ahead during the period. This means 2100 backburning and mechanical clearing projects were not carried out.

Firefighters say they are so frustrated by the bureaucracy involved that they are finding legal ways to complete small burns on private property.

However, the NSW Government denies reports that environmental groups and bureaucracy prevented the prevention work.

RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has blamed weather conditions for most of the backlog of hazard reduction works. The Government says there are often only about 40 days a year that hazard reduction burns can be conducted.

A spokesman for GIO told insuranceNEWS.com.au the insurer could not comment on the issue as it is a government decision and made on recommendations they receive.

An NRMA spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au the matter is “more of an industry issue” and he could not comment from a company perspective.