The Fire Danger Period has been announced for parts of CFA's North West Region.
It will begin at 01.00am on Monday 21 October, 2019, in:
- Gannawarra Shire
It will begin at 01.00am on Monday 4 November, 2019, in:
- Campaspe Shire
- Loddon Shire
The Fire Danger period will end in all three municipalities on 1 May, 2020, unless otherwise stated.
The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Southern Australia released in late August identified potential for above normal bushfire activity across the coastal and foothill forests of East Gippsland, and the risk that ash forests in the central highlands and Otways may dry out faster and become more flammable than normal during summer.
Across the rest of Victoria, normal bushfire activity is expected, but CFA reminds Victorians that even an average fire season in the state can be a bad one.
CFA District 20 Acting Operations Manager Mick Lavery said winter rains had resulted in plenty of vegetation growth across District 20, which takes in the three municipalities Gannawarra, Campaspe and Loddon.
"This will become a high fire risk throughout the summer if not properly managed," he said.
"Reducing fuel loads will ensure that if a fire does break out, it has less chance of taking hold or spreading."
"While CFA and its partner agencies Parks Victoria, Forest Fire Management, DELWP and Emergency 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."
He added residents still had a few weeks of opportunity to clean up their properties.
"People need to be aware that if using fire to clean up around their properties they need to register the details on 1800 668 511. 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.
