THE Fire Danger Period will begin for more municipalities in the Wimmera on October 22.
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Country Fire Authority District 17 has placed restrictions on the remainder of Hindmarsh Shire Council and West Wimmera Shire Council North.
Operations manager Craig Brittain said the new restrictions were reflective of the dry year.
“Low winter rainfall across the west means the grass and bush are dry and the fire potential is further increased by Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that the next three months will be drier and warmer than average,” he said.
“Any rainfall we do experience in spring will produce growth, which could very easily become a high fuel load throughout the summer season if not properly managed.
“Reducing fuel loads will ensure that if a fire does break out, it has less chance of taking hold or spreading.”
Mr Brittain encouraged people to clean up any debris from around the properties.
“People need to be aware that if using fire to clean up around their properties they need to obtain a permit from their local council and register the burn on 1800 668 511,” he said.
“So far this year, out-of-control burn-offs and unregistered burn-offs have already caused unnecessary call-outs to for brigades.
“You should not burn off when winds are high or high winds are forecast – not only on the day of your burn but for the days afterwards. For information about burn-off restrictions specific to your area, consult your local council.”
Once the danger period comes into effect, CFA and Victoria Police have a zero-tolerance approach to any fires that have started from negligent behaviour.
Victoria Police Grampians regional emergency management acting inspector Brendan Broadbent said fines would be issued to anyone caught doing the wrong thing.
“It’s about raising the expectations of the general community to look at people who are lighting fires with ignorance about the conditions and say that they won’t stand for it,” he said.
“We want to change the culture around the expectations of the community and indict to them that we’re going to enhance our operations for all fires. If the outcome is that they are deliberately lit or there have been breaches, then those people responsible will be charged.
“The actual strategy has been a collaboration with the CFA, but we have also been working with DELWP and other fire control agencies. We want to work with them to identify all fires.”
CFA does issue permits for a certain situations during the FDP. These are mainly for critical industry and other purposes. There are very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.
During the Fire Danger Period fires cannot be lit in the open air without a written permit from CFA or a Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.
More information and restrictions is available on the CFA’s website.