Fire restrictions start next week

THE official fire danger period in the City of Ballarat and some surrounding municipalities will begin at 1am on Monday, 19 December.

With the danger period comes fire restriction and the rules will also apply in Hepburn, Moorabool and Pyrenees shires from the same date, while Golden Plains will enter restrictions on Christmas Eve.

With significant rainfall across the region in spring and early summer, the Seasonal Bushfire Outlook has identified grass fires as a key threat when things start to warm up.

“We can expect to see significant grassfires to start the fire season,” said CFA District 15 Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Adam Gullo.

The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook is predicting average fire risk this summer for most of the state, with central, north east and eastern Victoria being listed as below normal.

During the fire danger period written permits are needed to conduct burn offs with the documentation either issued by the CFA or a municipal fire prevention officer.

Penalties apply for lighting a fire in the open without a permit including a $21,800 fine combined with up to 12 months in jail.

Barbecues, cooking fires and those for warmth don’t need a permit but must be lit in “properly constructed fireplaces.”

Meanwhile with fire season potentially on the way, a statement from the CFA reiterated there was a new national fire danger rating system enforce cross the country.

There are now only four fire danger levels: moderate, high, extreme and catastrophic.

Visit the CFA website for more information on fire permits, restrictions, or the new fire danger rating period.