FIRE management crews are aiming to slash about 1400 hectares of grass in the coming weeks to reduce the risk of bushfire.
Forest Fire Management Victoria senior officer Nathan Christian said the slashing activities, delayed due to rainfall and flooding, were important to prepare for the fire season.
He said crews would visit grasslands across the Mallee, including Mildura, Robinvale, Walpeup, Ouyen, Rainbow, Pine Plains and Nyah.
"Due to Mallee townships being surrounded by continuous cropping, the majority of the risk to life and property in the Mallee landscape comes from grassfires," Mr Christian said.
He said follow-up treatment could be needed because of the floods and he encouraged residents to also guard against bushfires.
"Reducing bushfire risk is a shared responsibility," he said.
"Fuel reduction of public land can only do so much – communities and households need to know how to be prepared and take action to reduce their bushfire risk.
"We encourage homeowners to be prepared for grass and bushfires by cutting long grass regularly, removing leaves and twigs from the yard and clearing space around their house of all flammable materials."
