17/03/2022
Media release
Thursday 17 March 2022
FIRE RESTRICTIONS TO END IN DISTRICT 24
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will finish at 1.00am on Monday, 21 March 2022 in the following municipalities in CFAâs District 24:â
⢠Rural City of Wodonga
⢠Mount Hotham Alpine Resort
⢠Shire of Towong
⢠Shire of Alpine
⢠Falls Creek Alpine Resort
⢠Shire of Indigo
According to the latest Australian Seasonal Outlook, above average summer rainfall has led to a reduced bushfire risk for autumn.
These conditions have led to reduced fire activity in both grasslands and forests this summer.
Much of Victoria will continue to experience milder conditions and lower bushfire potential over the coming months.
CFA District 24 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Adrian Gutsche said milder conditions across the District has seen a reduced risk of fires escaping and therefore the restrictions that are in place over the peak summer period will be removed.
ACFO Gutsche emphasised that while the FDP is coming to an end in some areas, it is still important to remain vigilant.
âWhile these restrictions are being lifted landowners are reminded to ensure they remain safe around fire,â he said.
Absentee landowners who attend their property must ensure that any fires they light as part of a clean-up are fully extinguished prior to returning home.
Irrespective of restrictions that are in place, ACFO Gutsche said that people are responsible for any fires they light and will be held accountable by Victoria Police for any damage that results.
âPlease monitor the conditions on hot, dry and windy days, as we may still see some days of elevated fire risk,â ACFO Gutsche said.
While the Fire Danger Period is coming to an end, it is still important that residents check the local conditions are safe for any burn-off they were considering undertaking.
âYou must register your burn-offs, check weather conditions and follow local council laws and regulations,â ACFO Gutsche said.
âRegistering your burn-off ensures that if somebody reports smoke, the incident will be cross-checked with the burn-off register, which will then prevent CFA crews wasting resources and showing up at your door.â
Landowners can now register their burn-off online at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au.
âRegistering your burn-off ensures that if somebody reports smoke, the incident will be cross-checked with the burn-off register, which will then prevent CFA crews wasting resources and showing up at your door.â
Alternatively, you can register with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) by calling 1800 668 511 or emailing [email protected]
âWhen conducting burn-offs, remain alert and always have resources on hand to extinguish the fire.â
Keep your burn off safe and legal:
⢠Check municipal local law in your area.
⢠Check fire restrictions in your area and always register your burn at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au.
⢠Check and monitor weather conditions â particularly wind.
⢠To avoid unnecessary calls to emergency services, notify your neighbours beforehand.
⢠Leave a three-metre fire break, free from flammable materials around the burn.
⢠Have sufficient equipment and water to stop the fire spreading.
⢠Never leave a burn-off unattended â stay for its entire duration.
⢠If your burn-off gets out of control, call â000â immediately.
Cooking, burn-offs, campfires, hot work, fireworks. Sparks, embers and flames from many activities can cause fires.