The Fire Danger Period officially started in both the Hepburn Shire and Macedon Ranges Shire areas this Monday.

The CFA declared the Fire Danger Period for both local municipalities became effective from 1am this Monday, November 25 and is scheduled to end on May 1 2025, unless otherwise advised.

This means no fires can be lit in the open air without a permit during this period.

In its long-range forecast for December to February shows, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast
an increased chance of warmer than average days and nights across most of Australia and that
above average rainfall is likely for large parts of eastern Australia.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s CEO, Bernie O’Sullivan, said several shire-wide fire prevention initiatives were already well progressed to cut grass along council-managed roadsides, keep trees clear from powerlines and reduce fuel loads on private properties.

“We know fire does not discriminate and so it is important for us to complete annual programs we’re
responsible for, while working closely with the community to collectively reduce the shire’s fire risk,”
he said.

“I encourage residents to either review their existing fire plan or take the time to create one, drawing
from the range of useful resources available online through trusted authorities such as the CFA.”

Annual fire prevention activities in council-managed areas to date have included:

• a roadside grass slashing program on Council-managed roads, with contractors starting in the
  north of the shire and working their way south to provide initial coverage of the shire (the
  Department of Transport and Planning undertakes its own program to maintain state-managed
  roadsides)
• an electric line vegetation clearance program within declared areas of Gisborne and Kyneton,
  to keep trees a safe distance away from powerlines (Powercor is responsible for pruning
  vegetation within the shire outside of Gisborne and Kyneton, with Jemena responsible for
  Gisborne South)
• inspections of private properties, checking for fire hazards such as unmaintained long grass,
  excessive woodpiles or other debris.
  One standard trailer-load of residential green waste can be disposed of for free at Council’s resource
  recovery facilities in Kyneton, Romsey and Woodend, via a redeemable voucher in the Winter 2024
  edition of Council’s ShireLife newsletter publication delivered to mailboxes locally.
  For more information on:
• preparing for fire and heat – visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/fire-heat
• Fire Danger Ratings and the Fire Danger Period – visit cfa.vic.gov.au
• applying for a permit – visit firepermits.vic.gov.au
• the latest information on current incidents and alerts – visit emergency.vic.gov.au
• Council’s resource recovery facilities, inc. green waste voucher – visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/RRF

Fire Restrictions for Hepburn Shires are scheduled to come into effect from 1am on Monday, November 25, the CFA has confirmed.

The restrictions for Hepburn are then scheduled to remain in place right the way through to May 1, 2025.

The Fire Danger Period (when these restrictions come into force) have the same start and end dates scheduled for the Macedon Rages Shire as well.

The Fire Danger Period is when the CFA restricts the use of fire in the community in order to help prevent fires from starting.

The CFA declares the Fire Danger Period for each municipality (shire or council) at different times in the lead up to the fire season, depending on the amount of rain, grassland curing rate and other local conditions.

The Fire Danger Period (restrictions coming into effect) is declared as early as October in some municipalities, and typically remains in place until the fire danger lessens, which could be as late as May.

The Fire Danger Period is not the same thing as a Total Fire Ban, and more information about restrictions is available through the CFA website.

The Fire Danger Period will come into effect from 1am tomorrow, Monday, November 20 for Hepburn Shire Council and other municipalities in CFA’s District 15.

Besides Hepburn these include the City of Ballarat and the Moorabool Shire Council.

The El Nino weather pattern means Victorians can expect a hotter and drier summer than recent years, and communities should begin preparing their properties and creating a Bushfire Survival Plan. 

The latest Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring predicts the fire risk in the coming months to be normal across the state, as well as strong drying patterns in Gippsland’s forested areas. 

CFA District 15 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lachlan Redman said local conditions were showing a rapid rate of grassland curing.  

“The recent spell of increased temperatures and days of higher than average windy conditions have seen a drying of grassland areas including parts of the forested areas. This means in preparing for the upcoming fire danger period, the community should be clearing up around their properties and have a fire plan prepared and practised,” he said.   

“Careful attention should be given when people are mowing or slashing their properties. It’s always a good idea to do these activities in cooler conditions which will assist in preventing the potential risk of a fire occurring. When burning off, people must always be in attendance when the fire is a light and monitor current and forecasted weather conditions.” 

While CFA’s 52,000 members are poised to respond and support communities this bushfire season, they’re urging people to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires. 

No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website. 

There are very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.   

Fire Danger Period information: 

• A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. You can apply for a permit at firepermits.vic.gov.au. It can also be issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA District Office.  
• Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/can. 
• Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/farms. 
• More information about FDPs is available online at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod. 
• To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit  www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. 

The Fire Danger Period is set to begin from 1am on Monday November 13 for the Campaspe Shire and Loddon Shire municipalities in the CFA’s District 20.

The El Nino weather pattern means Victorians can expect a hotter and drier summer than recent years, and communities should begin preparing their properties and creating a Bushfire Survival Plan. 

The latest Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring predicts the fire risk in the coming months to be normal across the state, as well as strong drying patterns in Gippsland’s forested areas. 

CFA District 20 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andrew Dixon said recent rainfall has led to increased growth in grass and crops. 

“This is of particular concern to our firefighters, and we urge all property owners to take appropriate measures to reduce this risk,” he said. 

While CFA’s 52,000 members are poised to respond and support communities this bushfire season, they’re urging people to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires. 

Residents in these areas are asked to take this opportunity ahead of the FDP to clean up their properties. 

Those conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website (www.firepermits.vic.gov.au), or by calling ESTA on 1800 668 511.  

By registering your burn-off online, you allow emergency call takers to allocate more of their time taking calls from people who need emergency assistance immediately. 

No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website. 

There are very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.   

The CFA has issued the following Fire Danger Period information: 

• A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. You can apply for a permit at firepermits.vic.gov.au. It can also be issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA District Office.  
• Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/can. 
• Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/farms. 
• More information about FDPs is available online at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod. 
• To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit  www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.