General News
11 April, 2025
Fire Danger Period to end April 22
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) is expected to end later this month but authorities urge locals to continue following best practices — such as registering burns and cleaning up their property.
As the FDP ends on April 22 in the Central Goldfields, the CFA encourages locals to check with their council on local laws surrounding fires.
For example, in the Central Goldfields locals living in residential areas require a Permit to Burn before burning off.
For Goldfields Group Officer Peter Higgins the messaging is simple, follow the rules and clean up your property before next fire season.
“It’s the old KISS syndrome, Keep It Simple Stupid,” he said.
To save unnecessary call outs for local brigades he urges residents to register their burn offs by calling 1800 668 511.
“If you’re going to light a fire one, register it, so if somebody calls it in Triple Zero (000) have that registered. Two, have a talk with your neighbour, because [most] fires are called in from their next door neighbours,” he said.
“Have that conversation [and] if you like them well enough invite them over for a burger.”
Mr Higgins also encourages residents to complete whatever maintenance is necessary entering the colder months.
“Make sure all your fire hazards aren’t hazards,” he said.
That’s from checking your smoke alarms, to cleaning up your property and chimney, plus checking your gas appliances.
“Identify what your risks are … and limit the risk,” he said.
This is especially important for gas heaters which, if faulty, kill through carbon monoxide poisoning.
“That’s the silent killer. The thing about gas heaters is it will kill you and you won’t even know that its happened,” Mr Higgins said.
He urges residents to have qualified people do the qualified jobs.
“[Especially] with electrical and gas, get it done right,” he said.
That extends to any burn offs as well. Mr Higgins warns locals that without any major rain the environment is still dry.
“If you don’t do your right clean up and your right protection before you burn [fires] still get away,” he said.
The FDP ends on different dates in neighbouring shires due to different local conditions.
April 22 marks the end of the FDP for both Mount Alexander and Central Goldfields Shire. However, northern areas of the Pyrenees and the Northern Grampians have to wait until May 1.
The FDP has already ended in the Loddon Shire.