Before the fire danger period, the councils conducted inspections of properties in search for fire hazards. 

Property-owners who are found with fire hazards are issued with a notice to clean-up their land. 

Fire hazards included long grass, accumulated rubbish or potential fuels. 

The Yarriambiack Shire Council has inspected 165 properties during this fire danger period where 78 property-owners were given fire prevention notices after a hazard was identified. 

The shire's local laws and fire prevention officer Craig Byron said the main reason for non-compliance was absentee property-owners who have not maintained their land. 

Only four of the 78 properties where given more than one notice to clean-up fire hazards. 

Ararat Rural City Council conducted about 250 inspections throughout the municipality.

However, a council spokeswoman said an exact number of property inspections was unknown because many required no further action with no fire hazard identified.

Of the 250 inspections, she said 146 notices were issued to properties deemed to have a fire hazard such as long grass, overhanging trees, accumulated rubbish and other potential fire fuels.

"No second notices were issued, as a ‘non compliance’ triggers the deployment of a council-appointed contractor to perform rectification works prescribed in the notice," the spokeswoman said.

"The cost of this work is then passed on to the landowner usually with the addition of a penalty."

A Northern Grampians Shire Council spokesman said the shire has inspected 5,059 properties this season and 153 properties received a fire prevention notice. 

The spokesman said "less than a dozen" property-owners received a second notice. 

He said there were 30 less notices issued in comparison to the previous fire danger period. 

Horsham Rural City Council and West Wimmera and Hindmarsh shires did not respond before deadline. 

The Country Fire Authority's District 17 operations manager Craig Brittain said the authority supports the councils in its efforts to reduce fire hazards.

However, he said it was disappointing when people do not heed the warning.    

"It does not matter how many notices or advertisements we put out, there are always people who do not take it on board and clean up in preparation for the fire period," he said.

"It is disappointing in itself." 

Mr Brittain said the risk of losing a house was greater when fire hazards are surrounding the property. 

"In my experience it has more to do with vacant blocks in urban areas especially on the fringe," he said.

"But, there are individual areas where people do not clean up around their structures, which is a fire risk." 

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