Fire restrictions start Monday

THE official fire danger period in the City of Greater Bendigo and a nearby municipality will begin at 1am on Monday, 19 December.

With the danger period comes fire restriction and the rules will also apply in Central Goldfields Shire from the same date, while Mount Alexander Shire will enter restrictions at 1am on Wednesday, 28 December.

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.

“This year with the unseasonal weather conditions and with the approaching holiday season, we have decided to give the community as much notice as possible of the introduction of the fire danger period,” said CFA District 02 Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mick Hembrow.

“While Municipalities and Government agencies will be working to have fire prevention slashing works completed, we ask the community to also prepare their properties, reduce fuel loads and have their Bushfire Plan discussed and prepared within their family.”

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.

“This year in particular, we ask everyone to be aware of changes to the fire danger rating system, the new signs that are currently being installed and what action to take for each rating level,” Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Hembrow said.

“Above all, understand your individual fire risk, and prepare and plan accordingly.”

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