General News
28 September, 2023
Register your burn-off
With a surge in burn-offs expected over the long weekend as residents are starting to prepare their properties ahead of this year’s fire season — the fire authority is reminding landowners to register any planned burn-offs online. Following what...

With a surge in burn-offs expected over the long weekend as residents are starting to prepare their properties ahead of this year’s fire season — the fire authority is reminding landowners to register any planned burn-offs online.
Following what could be an earlier start to the fire season this year, the CFA and the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) are urging people to use the Fire Permits Victoria website to register their burn-offs with long wait times anticipated if they use the phone line instead.
A high number of registrations are expected this weekend as well as in the coming weeks and using the website is the quickest and easiest way to register.
“Using the Fire Permits Victoria website to register your burn-off also ensures ESTA’s fire call takers can focus their efforts on taking emergency triple zero calls,” ESTA COO Nicole Ashworth said.
“Earlier this year, we experienced days with more than 1200 non-emergency calls to register burn- offs on private land, so we’re encouraging people to start pivoting to the easy-to-use Fire Permits Victoria website.”
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the website was also the preferred platform for community members to register their burns.
“By registering your burn-off, it allows emergency services to verify the fire is a planned burn if triple zero (000) receive any good intent calls to report it as an actual fire,” he said.
“Unregistered burns can lead to unnecessary call outs for your local fire brigade.”
The website allows you to notify emergency services of your burn, 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 through the phone line.
While the Fire Danger Period in the Central Goldfields Shire has not been declared yet, two municipalities in Victoria, East Gippsland and Wellington, will have restrictions in force from October 9 till May next year.
For more information about burning off safely, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/burnoff — to register burn offs visit the Fire Permits Victoria website on www.firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify or register via the phone line on 1800 668 511.