General News
28 November, 2022
Register your burn off now
Residents are being urged to register their burn offs as preparation works for the fire season commence, with local brigades called to unregistered burns each year. Across Victoria there were more than 85,000 burn offs registered or approved between...
Residents are being urged to register their burn offs as preparation works for the fire season commence, with local brigades called to unregistered burns each year.
Across Victoria there were more than 85,000 burn offs registered or approved between October 25, 2021 and May 1, 2022, with residents again being encouraged to alert authorities if they’re planning to burn.
Launched in 2020, the Fire Permits Victoria website is a one-stop-shop for Victorians to register burn-offs with authorities prior to the Fire Danger Period (FDP) commencing, or apply for a permit once the FDP has started.
Community members are still able to register their burn offs with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) by calling 1800 668 511, but the Fire Permits Victoria website frees call takers to focus on emergency calls.
Local fire brigades have been reminding residents to register their burn offs for years and Goldfields Group Officer Peter Higgins said it’s important and easy to do.
“We can’t preach enough how important it is to register your burn offs,” he said.
“It’s so easy to register a burn off, if you call ESTA the call taker takes you through all the steps and asks you all the questions, it couldn’t be easier.”
The FDP is already in place for the Mildura Rural City Council, with several other north-western shires to follow in the coming weeks, according to CFA.
Mr Higgins said local brigades are called out to unregistered burn offs each year, which puts unnecessary pressure on volunteer firefighters.
“We’re called out to unregistered burns numerous times each year and the annoying part of it is that registering them is as simple as a phone call,” he said.
“Being called out unnecessarily does put people at risk and we’re volunteers, we have to leave our families or workplaces and put ourselves at risk attending incidents.
“Turning out to false alarms can also be an emotional thing — I don’t think anyone wants to have emergency services rocking up and knocking on the door.”
Mr Higgins stressed the importance of having water on hand and keeping an eye on burn offs if residents do have them.
“If you are having a burn off, you need to keep an eye on it and take the right precautions of making sure you have some sort of water suppression on hand,” he said.
“It’s important to keep an eye on it even after the burn off is finished, there are instances where days after the burn off, a fire has flared up and gotten out of control in a neighbour’s property.
“It’s worth keeping in mind that in town, there are regulations around burning off that are imposed by council and residents need to make sure they’re aware of those regulations before they do anything.”
To register a burn off via the Fire Permits Victoria website, visit firepermits.vic.gov.au or call 1800 668 511.
Residents are also encouraged to let their neighbours know of any burn offs.