Shire prepares for fire season

THE Country Fire Authority’s west region, which includes the Golden Plains, Hepburn and Moorabool Shires and the City of Ballarat, will enter the fire danger period at 1am on Monday, 13 December.

The CFA announced the restriction periods for each Victorian local government areas over summer each year, dependent on weather and fuel curing.

During the fire danger period, residents must follow restrictions around lighting fires in the open air and conducting burn-offs.

District 15 Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Eddie Lacko said while much of Victoria has experienced above average rainfall during winter, an average fire season can still be devastating.

“Conditions through the last fire season were similar to what we’re expecting this year, and during those months we saw significant grass fires in the north and west of the state,” he said.

“Vegetation across the district is currently very green however, recent severe storms have changed the fuel arrangement on the ground in a number of areas.

“We have seen a great deal of trees that have come down or uprooted along with defoliation of vegetation due to high winds that will also alter the fire behaviour this summer, potentially increasing severity.

The Shire’s Fire Hazard Inspection Program took place throughout November, and 275 fire prevention notices were issued to properties with a high fire risk.

A second round of inspections began on Monday, with more landowners to be notified of any required fire prevention works.

Municipal staff have been preparing for the fire season with prevention works across the Shire, including roadside slashing of all sealed roads, with another 470 kilometres of road to be slashed before the end of the year, and fire breaks to reduce fuel loads.

The Shire will also slash unsealed roadsides and selected reserves before Christmas, as suggested by its environment and sustainability officers.

For information on restrictions during the fire danger period and days of total fire ban, head to cfa.vic.gov.au.