Community members are being urged to prepare their properties for summer and help to reduce bushfire risk as the weather warms up.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, said the CFA had warned of a dry fire season ahead, with a potentially high fire risk, due to lower rainfall in the winter months.
"The CFA has said that we'll have a higher risk for bushfire this year than we have in a few years, which means there's no room for complacency," he said.
"The Yarra Ranges, particularly the Upper Yarra, has a much higher bushfire risk than other parts of Victoria.
"The best time to prepare your property for bushfire is yesterday; the next best time is right now. Ensuring your grass is mowed, picking up dead leaves, twigs and branches and trimming back trees and plants – particularly from around your home – could make the world of difference if a fire breaks out. Cleaning roof spouting and under and around decks is crucial.
"Before the CFA's Fire Danger Period is declared, residents can burn off subject to very strict rules.
"I encourage everyone to look up when they can burn off, and make the most of all avenues, including the weekly FOGO collections.
"Our emergency services do an amazing job keeping our communities safe throughout the year, but managing bushfire risk is everyone's responsibility. By preparing our properties for summer, we can rest a bit easier when the weather warms up."
When the CFA's Fire Danger Period begins, burning off without a permit will be prohibited in all of the Yarra Ranges.
"As the fire risk increases heading towards summer, the Fire Danger Period can be declared at any time, with little notice, so never leave burning off to the last minute," Cr Child said.
"The Fire Danger Period is the official start of the bushfire season, and the fact is that we've already had warnings that this season may be hotter and drier than others, so we anticipate the period will start sooner."
Community members can utilise bundled branch collections in November, hard waste and bundled branches collections in January-March and weekly FOGO collections to dispose of green waste.
Landowners conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au, or by calling ESTA on 1800 668 511.
Neighbours should be notified of burn offs to prevent unnecessary CFA call-outs.
While clearing leaf litter, sticks and mowing your property are easy ways to prepare for the bushfire season, vegetation removal – such as removing trees – may require planning approval.
