Register your burn-off online to reduce risk

FOLLOWING a year that saw CFA volunteers respond to 936 incidents caused by escaped burn-offs, CFA and Triple Zero Victoria are urging landowners to take extra precautions before lighting their burn.

With fire restrictions easing across the state, some residents are now taking the opportunity to burn-off grass, stubble, weeds and undergrowth to maintain and prepare their properties.

While encouraged, landowners are reminded to register any planned burn-offs online through the Fire Permits Victoria website at firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify and ensure regulations and applicable local laws are followed.

An online registration is the fastest and simplest option, and allows Triple Zero (000) call-takers to prioritise emergency calls.

Unregistered burn-offs can not only cause a spike in calls to 000 but also unnecessary callouts for firefighters.

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

Triple Zero Victoria chief operating officer Nicole Ashworth encouraged residents to plan ahead and register their burn-off online.

“When someone calls 000 to report seeing smoke we can confirm if it’s recorded on the burn-off register,” Ms Ashworth said.

‘So, check the weather, plan ahead and notify us online through Fire Permits Victoria’s website – it’s fast, easy and most importantly, allows our call-takers to focus on emergency calls.”

Ms Ashworth said the Yarra Ranges, Cardinia, Greater Geelong and Macedon Ranges council areas saw the highest number of burn-off notifications last year.

Acting CFA chief officer Garry Cook said the Fire Permits Victoria website is the preferred platform for community members to register their burns and is just one of many safety steps to take this autumn.

“By registering your burn-off, it allows emergency services to verify the fire is not an emergency, manage fire risk effectively and avoid placing unnecessary strain on local brigades.

“In 2024, over 19,084 volunteer hours were utilised responding to incidents involving escaped burn-offs. Our message is clear: please don’t leave your burn-off unattended.

“We ask landowners have enough people and water on hand to monitor, contain and extinguish their burn-off safely and consistently monitor wind conditions before and after the burning day.”

• Before you notify the CFA, ensure you:
• Follow regulations or laws by CFA and local council
• Notify your neighbours if the burn will generate fire and smoke
• Check the weather forecast for the day of the activity and a few days afterward
• 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
• Have enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively. Never leave a burn-off unattended.

If you wish to start your burn-off immediately (within two hours), you can register by phoning 1800 668 511, but early online registration is preferred.

Head to cfa.vic.gov.au/burnoff