General News
9 November, 2023
Preparing for the Fire Danger Period and creating a fire plan
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will begin for most local shires over the coming two weeks, with only a handful of days left for Central Goldfields Shire residents to clean up their properties before restrictions are enforced. The November 13 start...
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will begin for most local shires over the coming two weeks, with only a handful of days left for Central Goldfields Shire residents to clean up their properties before restrictions are enforced.
The November 13 start date for shires including Central Goldfields and Mount Alexander is a considered approach with many stakeholders, according to the CFA, to ensure the safety of the community from fire.
Landowners are reminded:
• In the lead up to the FDP, be careful with any private burn offs and take all precautions.
• CFA urges all landowners to register their burn well before conducting the burn off online (register online at firepermits. vic.gov.au) or by phone (call ESTA on 1800 668 511).
The lead up to the FDP is an opportunity for residents to clean up around their properties in preparation for the fire season, however those considering burning off should consider alternative options than using fire if possible such as slashing, mulching, green waste and removing available fuel from around the property.
According to the CFA, already drying vegetation combined with daily winds are creating many private vegetation burn offs to escape and become out of control, leading to extensive and at times exhaustive response from CFA volunteers.
Many of the escaped burn offs have caused damage to property and old native trees that have had to be cut down due to the fire damage and safety concerns.
Once the FDP is implemented no burning off can be undertaken in the open air, and a zero tolerance approach of fines and charges will be issued for those who do not follow the restrictions.
“Always remember that if you’re the person who lights the fire, regardless of what it is, then you are the person responsible until it is fully extinguished,” CFA District 02 Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Eenjes said.
For more information on what can and can’t be done during the FDP, and how to prepare your property visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au
CREATE A FIRE PLAN
Having an action plan for how you and your family will respond to fire is vital ahead of summer.
Fire conditions can change quickly and the CFA recommends leaving early as the safest option to protect yourself and your family — this means leaving the area before there are any signs of a fire, not when you can see flames or smell smoke.
Planning to stay and defend your property is a big decision. You could be at serious risk of death or injury from uncontrollable fires. The CFA’s ‘defending your property’ web page can help you decide whether or not you are capable of defending your property, and tells you about the risks and preparations involved.
Creating a plan can include choosing which Fire Danger Rating is your trigger to leave, where you’ll go, what route you’ll take, and what you’ll take with you.
Once you’ve created a plan, it is recommended you share it with family, friends and neighbours.
For more advice on how to create a fire plan visit www.cfa.vic. gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire/your-bushfire-plan
LOCAL FIRE DANGER PERIOD START DATES
STARTED
Northern Grampians
NOVEMBER 13
Central Goldfields Shire
Mount Alexander Shire
Loddon Shire
Campaspe Shire
NOVEMBER 20
Pyrenees Shire
Hepburn Shire
Ararat
Greater City of Bendigo
City of Ballarat