Fire season start announced

THE CFA’s fire danger period for the City of Ballarat and surrounding areas is set to commence next week.

Part of CFA District 15, the City’s declared fire danger period will begin from 1am on Monday 20 November.

With a windier, drier, and hotter fire season expected due to an El Nino weather pattern, District 15 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lachlan Redman said it’s important everyone is maintaining their properties in case of emergencies.

“The recent spell of increased temperatures and days of higher-than-average windy conditions have seen a drying of grassland areas including parts of the forested areas,” he said.

“This means in preparing for the upcoming fire danger period, the community should be clearing up around their properties and have a fire plan prepared and practised.”

Residents are being urged to have their bushfire survival plan prepared and to conduct burn-offs when appropriate.

Burn-offs must be registered online via the Fire Permits Victoria website or through calling the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority on 1800 668 511.

During Ballarat’s fire danger period, a written permit is required to conduct any burn-offs, which can also be acquired from the municipality’s fire prevention officer or the CFA district office.

Fines of more than $21,000 as well as imprisonment can apply to people caught lighting open fires without a permit during a fire danger period.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Redman reminded everyone to keep to safe practices when preparing their properties for fires.

“When burning off, people must always be in attendance when the fire is alight and monitor current and forecasted weather conditions,” he said.

“Careful attention should be given when people are mowing or slashing their properties.

“It’s always a good idea to do these activities in cooler conditions which will assist in preventing the potential risk of a fire occurring.”

The fire danger periods in Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool, and Pyrenees shires will begin at the same time as the City of Ballarat’s.