CFA extends fire danger period

Drought has driven the CFA to extend the fire danger period in parts of Victoria with the authority saying, “it’s still too risky to lift restrictions”.

Drought has crippled dairying and forced the CFA to extend the fire danger period across south west Victoria.

The CFA has extended the fire danger period into May for four South West Victorian councils in response to the ongoing drought, as well as for Towong Shire in the state’s North East.

It’s the first time since 2019 that the fire danger period has been extended into May.

Normally the fire danger period, restricting people from lighting fires outdoors without a permit, comes to an end on April 30.

But the CFA, in consultation with local brigades, has extended the fire danger period for the following shires to:

May 12 for Moyne, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool;

May 19 for Glenelg; and

May 26 for Towong.

BOM rainfall map for past 12 months, showing regions in dark brown that face a 1 in 100 year drought.

The CFA reported a lack of rainfall had left vegetation in the state’s South West and parts of the North East susceptible to fire ignition, with some areas as dry as they were during the devastating 1982-83 fire season.

CFA grassland curing map for April 2025

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the decision to extend restrictions was necessary to

protect communities while dry conditions persisted.

“We know people look forward to the end of the fire season, but in some areas it’s still too risky to lift restrictions,” Jason said.

“While cooler days are arriving, the landscape remains dry enough to allow fires to start and

spread quickly if a burn-off gets out of control.”

Residents in affected areas are reminded that burning off remains prohibited unless a valid

permit is obtained.

Since April 1, CFA has responded to 127 preventable vegetation fires across Victoria, with more than half (53 per cent) caused by escaped burn-offs. Other significant causes included bonfires, campfires, fire pits and fireworks.

“Escaped burn-offs continued to cause significant concern,” Jason said.

“What we want to avoid is preventable fires caused by complacency or misunderstanding.”

“Escaped burns tie up our resources and present a real danger to both the community and our

volunteers.”

Jason also urged landowners to help reduce unnecessary callouts, by registering their burn-offs.

“We’re asking all landowners to register their burn-offs online, even if their municipality has exited restrictions,” he said.

“Registering helps prevent false alarms that divert resources from genuine emergencies.”

Under the CFA Act, penalties for lighting an open-air fire without a permit during the fire danger period can include fines of up to $23,710, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both.

Landowners can apply for a permit to burn off at firepermits.vic.gov.au.

BURN OFF SAFETY CHECKLIST

• Obtain a permit if required.

• Check and monitor weather conditions – particularly wind.

• Postpone your activity if high fire risk conditions develop.

• Notify your neighbours if the burn will generate fire and smoke.

• Leave a 3m fire break, free from flammable materials around the burn.

• Ensure you have enough water on hand (10 litres for small fires).

• Never leave a burn-off unattended – stay for its entire duration.

• Ensure there are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn effectively.