FIRE restrictions end this week, but the CFA is urging landowners to exercise “extreme caution” when burning off.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the fire danger period across Victoria ended at 1am, Monday 12 April.
“This marks the official end to a much milder bushfire season than the unprecedented fire season that ravaged East Gippsland and North Victoria in 2019/20,” he said.
Mr Heffernan said it was still important to check local conditions on the day of any burn-off for safety’s sake. “Fires can get out of control within minutes in dry and windy conditions, and the effects can be devastating – we want everyone to exercise extreme caution,” he said.
“While light winds can help to disperse smoke, burn-offs should not be conducted if the wind speed is more than 10kph. This can be observed when twigs and leaves are in constant motion.”
During the first week of April landowners registered more than 6000 private burn-offs. Some had an open date meaning the burning will be done over more than one day or when conditions are suitable.
Mr Heffernan said it was important to register all burn-offs so triple zero operators know what is happening in the area.
Register burn-offs on the Fire Permits Victoria website (firepermits.vic.gov.au), or notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority on 1800 668 511 or email burnoffs@esta.vic.gov.au.
People should never leave a burn-off unattended as it is the landowner’s responsibility to ensure that it does not get out of control. “If a burn off does get out of control, call 000 immediately. People should have a fire plan and prepare for the event of fire, and never be complacent.”
If a burn-off gets out of control, call 000 immediately.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 13 April 2021
