Fire danger period announced for multiple parts of southeast Victoria
Victoria is set for a hot and dry summer and the CFA has announced a zero-tolerance approach to carelessness with fire as the danger period sets in. Here is everything you need to know to avoid breaking any laws.
South East
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Victoria is bracing for a high-risk fire season with temperatures set to soar over the next three months.
With a warmer and drier summer than average forecast, the Country Fire Authority today announced its fire danger period for seven southeast council areas and French Island.
Coming into effect at 1am on December 16 and running until May 1, the fire danger period means fire restrictions come into force for Bass Coast, Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston and Mornington Peninsula councils.
This restricts people from doing things like lighting a fire in the open air unless they have a permit, and burning off without a permit.
CFA District eight operations manager Jamie Hansen said there will be a zero-tolerance approach to fires that have been lit due to negligent behaviour during the fire danger period.
“Expect any fire you start to be fully investigated by CFA and Victoria Police,” he said.
Mr Hansen said despite recent rainfall underlying dryness exists and presents a high fire risk in the region.
“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.
“Any rainfall we do experience in spring will produce growth, which could very easily become a high fuel load throughout the summer season if not properly managed.”
Bureau of Meteorology head of long-range forecasts Dr Andrew Watkins said Victoria was looking at drier than average and warmer conditions in most parts.
“Odds are up to 70-80 per cent of the state will be drier than average. In terms of temperatures, days are looking warmer than normal as well. In general, we are looking at a warm and dry summer.”
Dr Watkins said the outlook was an important reminder for communities to be alert to the potential severe weather risks over the coming months.
“We’ve already seen significant bushfire activity during spring, and the outlook for drier and warmer than average conditions will maintain that heightened risk over the coming months.”
Mr Hansen said while the CFA worked closely with organisations like Parks Victoria to prepare for bushfire season, they looked to the community to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires.
“Reducing fuel loads will ensure that if a fire does break out, it has less chance of taking hold or spreading,” he said.
People who need to burn off before the fire danger period starts need to register on 1800 668 511.
“So far this year, out-of-control burn-offs and unregistered burn-offs have already caused unnecessary call-outs to for brigades,” Mr Hansen said.
“You should not burn off when winds are high or high winds are forecast – not only on the day of your burn but for the days afterwards.”
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Fire Danger Period information:
A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during
the FDP. This permit may be issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA
District Office. Please check with your municipality in the first instance.
Lighting a fire in the open without a permit is an offence and can bring a penalty of over
$19,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment. Barbecues and fires for cooking and warmth do
not require a permit, but must be lit in properly constructed fireplaces (to view complete
conditions visit cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/can
The use of an incinerator, chainsaw/lawnmower, welding/grinding equipment and vehicles
that come in contact with vegetation and machinery with an internal combustion/heat engine
are permitted provided conditions are followed.
Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/farms
– this information is important especially for new farmers, bush block owners or hobby
farmers.
A Total Fire Ban declaration means no fires can be lit for the declared district for that day
unless there is a specific exemption or special permit issued. This applies irrespective of the
Fire Restriction status for a given municipality. Further details at cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-
restrictions/can/
More information can be found at the CFA’s website.