Warning on Macedon Ranges and Sunbury fire danger period

Residents across Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges have been urged to make sure they have their fire plans in place.

A chopper drops water on a Sunbury fire early last year. Picture: Dave Soderstrom

Residents across Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges have been urged to make sure they have their fire plans in place.

The official fire danger period kicked off across the Macedon Ranges on Monday and will do so in Sunbury next Monday.

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Sunbury and District 14 CFA operations officer Rick Flood encouraged people to keep an eye on social media and the CFA website.

“It’s important to have that plan in place and, depending on the weather, to monitor social media and the CFA website to get further information,” he said.

A fire burns in Clarkefield in 2014.

“People should be cleaning up of flammable materials around their house.”

During the fire danger period, a written permit is required to burn off under­growth, grass or other vegetation. Lighting a fire in the open without a permit could result in fines of more than $19,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment.

This year is one of the earliest starts to the danger period in the Macedon Ranges. It usually kicks off in December.

CFA District 2 operations manager Bill Johnstone said the next three months were projected to be drier and warmer than usual.

“Low winter rainfall across District 2 means the grass and bush are dry and the fire potential is further increased by Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that the next three months will be drier and warmer than average,” he said.

Macedon Ranges CIU’s Detective Sergeant Ivan Bobetic encouraged residents to report any suspicious activity.

“Fire prevention is everybody’s business, particularly up here the Ranges. Most residents know who the locals are,” he said. “It’s not about panicking and suspecting everybody, it’s about being vigilant in this area.”

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