Get ready for the fire danger period

GOLDEN Plains Shire will enter the fire danger period next week with fire restrictions in force.

From 1am on Monday 24 November, fire restrictions will be in place until the CFA announced the end of the season.

During this period landowners and residents must adhere to specific restrictions.

Landowners must keep grass on residential properties cut no higher than 100 milimetres and on properties that are more than two hectares, grass must be kept below 100 milimetres up to a minimum of 20 metres from a house or outbuilding.

A fire break may also be requested along the boundary of a property to protect neighbouring buildings.

“Once the fire danger period has been declared, fire restrictions come into force, meaning you cannot light a fire in the open air unless you have a permit or comply with certain requirements,” a Golden Plains Shire spokesperson said.

“The CFA’s website has great resources which enable the community to check what they can or can’t do as well as information to help residents prepare their property for fire.

“Golden Plains Shire is prone to bushfire (either grass or forest fire) and it is every property owner’s responsibility to reduce the fuel load, including clearing long grass and fine fuels, as these are the primary drive or fire intensity and spread.”

All burn off must be planned before the start of the fire danger period and residents who plan to burn garden waste must check the fire danger rating, log the burn off with Fire Permits Victoria, have the ability to immediately distinguish the fire, and have cleared around the burn pile.

When there is a burn off, residents must be in attendance.

Golden Plains Shire’s fire hazard inspection program began earlier this month and resident’s issues with a notice must complete works within four weeks of the issue date.