The Country Fire Authority is urging Wimmera farmers and rural landowners to clean up their properties ahead of the 2020-21 Summer Bushfire season.
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It comes as residents in the Northern Hindmarsh Shire and central Yarriambiack are not be able to light fires without a permit since Monday.
The start of the Fire Danger Period in these two areas follows the northern Yarriambiack Shire's FDP starting in early October.
In a statement, the CFA said it was expecting above-average rainfall across Victoria due to the influence of La Nina, particularly across the northern parts and mountain regions.
Acting Chief Fire Officer for District 17 Eddie Lacko said some areas of roadside vegetation were ready to burn.
"Although we are experiencing reasonable rainfall in some areas, now is not the time to be complacent. CFA will continue to monitor vegetation fuel moisture, implementing the summer Fire Danger Period into other areas as the bushfire risk increases," he said.
"Even with further rain, grass and bush will continue to dry, and increased fuel loads and warmer weather will further heighten the fire potential over the next three months.
"Any rainfall we do experience in spring will continue to produce growth, which could very easily become a high fuel load throughout the summer season if not properly managed. Ensure you mitigate the risk for bushfire on your property sooner rather than later and ensure all family members understand your bushfire survival plan.
"Reducing fuel loads will ensure if a fire does break out, it has less chance of taking hold or spreading."
"While CFA and our partner agencies Fire Rescue Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria are doing everything we can to prepare for the bushfire season, we look to the community to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires."
On Monday at 7.30pm, Laharum's CFA brigade hosted a webinar on fire safety. Horsham's brigade will host their own at the same time on Wednesday.
Laharum captain Luke Dumesny said residents keeping their grass down was the single most important thing they could do to help firefighters.
"We've tried to do some roadside burning out here, we just completed another section yesterday," he said.
"But obviously just clean up around the house, and make sure you've got your private unit servicable and ready to go, and their Bushfire Survival Plan. If you've got wood up against the verandah, get of that, and make sure the leaves are cleaned out of the gutter."
"We've got about 60 active members at Laharum, and we're still in the process of doing the chief officer's entrapment drills and the hazardous tree work required every year, but we've got good numbers out there.
"This year is going to be a bit different with COVID, people might want to get away and see their families, so maybe 30 might only be available at any one time, we'll just have to suck it and see."
To attend the Horsham webinar, visit https://au01web.zoom.us/j/68533777523.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
