FIRE restrictions are set to come into force this Friday in Buloke Shire, amid warnings of above average fuel loads and excess growth.
A warm and dry outlook has firefighters on alert across the state, with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) reminding residents even an average fire season can be a bad one.
CFA District 18 operations manager Dean Simmons said fuel loads and road side growth is well above average this year in the Buloke Shire council area.
“Recent hot spring weather combined with lack of significant spring rain has sped up grass land curing significantly,” Mr Simmons said.
“Any further rainfall we experience in spring will produce growth, which could very easily contribute to a high fuel load throughout the summer season if not properly managed.
“Reducing fuel loads will ensure that if a fire does break out, it has less chance of taking hold or spreading.”
The CFA, along with police, Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Management have warned of a zero tolerance approach to reckless behaviour this fire danger period (FDP), with the community called upon to do their part to prevent a bushfire.
“While CFA and its partner agencies Parks Victoria, Forest Fire Management, and Emergency Management Victoria are doing everything we can to prepare for the bushfire season, we look to the community to use commonsense and take responsibility for preventing fires,” Mr Simmons said.
Mr Simmons said there was still a short window of opportunity to clean up your property if you haven’t already done so.
“People need to be aware that if using fire to clean up around their properties they need to register these on 1800 668 511,” he said.
“So far this year, out-of-control burnoffs and unregistered burnoffs have already caused unnecessary call-outs to for brigades.
“You should not burnoff when winds are high or high winds are forecast — not only on the day of your burn but for the days afterwards.
“For information about burn-off restrictions specific to your area, consult your local council.”
Once the fire danger period comes into effect, CFA has a zero tolerance approach to any fires that have started from negligent behaviour.
“Expect any fire you start to be fully investigated by CFA and Victoria Police,” Mr Simmons said.
CFA does issue permits for certain situations during the FDP, but Mr Simmons said there were very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.
During the FDP, fires cannot be lit in the open air without a written permit from CFA or a municipal fire prevention officer.
FDPs are based on local conditions and take into account fuel moisture, fuel loads, grassland curing, weather and rainfall.
All burnoffs should be registered with the VicFire burn-off notification line on 1800 668 511.
