CFA urges people to register burn-offs

AS hundreds of thousands of Victorians begin preparing their property for fire season, emergency services are encouraging landowners to register any planned burn-offs online, through the Fire Permits Victoria website.

Landowners will be looking to take advantage of the spring conditions and authorities expect a surge in burn-off registrations over the coming weeks.

The quickest and easiest way to register your burn-off is by using the Fire Permits Victoria website at firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify

Triple Zero Victoria Chief Operating Officer Nicole Ashworth said registering a burn-off online was quick and easy.

“Using the Fire Permits Victoria website to register your burn-off helps keep our non-emergency phone lines free for higher priority calls,” Ms Ashworth said.

“Every year at this time we see a spike in demand on the phone lines as landholders look to take advantage of suitable weather in the lead up to the Fire Danger Period.

This can sometimes lead to long wait times to register your burn-off.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the Fire Permits Victoria website was the preferred platform for community members to register their burns.

“By registering your burn-off, it allows emergency services to verify the fire is not an emergency and avoid unnecessary call outs for local brigades.”

“It also allows us to display burn-offs on the CFA website, preventing needless calls to Triple Zero (000).”

The website allows you to notify emergency services of your burn-off, and also check and apply for a permit, if necessary.

However, if your burn is taking place within the next two hours, you must register your burn via the phone line on 1800 668 511.

Before you notify the CFA, make sure you:

Follow regulations or laws by CFA and local council

Notify your neighbours if the burn will generate fire and smoke

Check the weather conditions are safe to burn. Postpone your activity if high fire risk conditions develop

Establish a gap in vegetation or fire break of no less than 3m cleared of all flammable material, and

There are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively. Never leave a burn-off unattended.

For more information about burning off safely, head to cfa.vic.gov.au/burnoff