CFA dismayed by out-of-control burnoffs

THE Country Fire Authority (CFA) is asking Victorians to take extreme care when burning off, following 115 out-of-control burn-offs across the state in September.

To avoid a further spike, the CFA is urging residents who have recently undertaken burn-offs, or who are about to, to take extra precautions over the coming weeks as weather conditions become warmer and drier with challenging gusty winds.

Out-of-control private burn-offs have most recently caused fires in East Gippsland and Berringa .

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan is encouraging Victorians to take advantage of the window of opportunity to clean up their properties before the bushfire season, but safety should be a priority.

“It is imperative that residents register their burn-off and check the local conditions on the day, as well as coming days,” Mr Heffernan said.

“Conditions can change quickly, and fires can get out of control within minutes in hot and windy conditions.

“As we saw recently with the East Gippsland fires, the effects of an out-of-control fire can be devastating.

“Burn-offs can flare up a couple of days after the burn-off, which highlights the importance of making sure your burn-off is fully extinguished.”

Mr Heffernan said there are some simple steps Victorians can take to keep their burn-offs safe.

“The quickest and easiest way to safeguard yourself and the rest of the community is to register your burn-off using the Fire Permits Victoria website.

“Let your neighbours know you’re planning to burn off as smoke and fire will be visible to them and make sure you have enough people to monitor and extinguish the burn safely, don’t leave it unattended.

“It is also essential you have enough water on hand to put out a fire, and we recommend establishing a fire break of no less than three metres cleared of flammable materials.”

The CFA offers these tips to keep burn-off safe and legal:

• Follow regulations or laws set by the CFA and local council
• Check and monitor weather conditions – particularly wind
• Postpone your activity if high fire risk conditions develop
• Notify your neighbours if the burn will generate fire and smoke
• Leave a three-metre fire break, free from flammable materials around the burn
• Never leave a burn-off unattended – stay for its entire duration
• Ensure there are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn effectively

The quickest way to register your burn-off is online at firepermits.vic.gov.au, with the burn-off registration line available on 1800 688 511, and

Make sure your household has a Bushfire Survival Plan, head to cfa.vic.gov.au/bushfireplan to find out how.

For more information about how to prepare your property, head to cfa.vic.gov.au/prepare