General News
25 October, 2024
Victoria's fire season to begin ahead of a hotter-than-usual season
Victorian fire season is set to begin in parts of the state next week.
The CFA has declared the First Fire Danger for the 2024-25 fire season will commence on Monday, 28 October, ahead of a hotter-than-usual season, for the following municipalities in the west and northwest of the state.
Municipalities included the Mildura Rural City Council, Yarriambiack Shire Council, Hindmarsh Shire Council, West Wimmera Shire Council, and Horsham Rural City Council
The CFA has declared the fire danger period for the Northern Grampians Shire will commence on November 4, 2024, and finish on May 1, 2025.
According to the CFA announcement, Stawell is in the NGSC and has a high bushfire risk level.
The CFA advised Victorians that they can expect a hotter and drier summer and that communities should prepare their properties and create a Bushfire Survival Plan.
CFA West Region Acting Deputy Chief Officer Mark Gunning said that, as a result of reduced rainfall this year, we're concerned about the dry conditions we're already seeing in the far west of the state.
"Following a devastating fire season in the Wimmera earlier this year, we saw many people who had prepared their properties for fire survive the passage of the bushfires in the Grampians and southern Wimmera."
CFA will introduce further FDPs for Victorian municipalities in the coming weeks and months based on assessments of the amount of rain, grassland curing rate, and local conditions.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said that with the increased fire risk expected in the west and southwest of the state, now is the time to take action and be ready for what's ahead.
"Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and we ask Victorians to be prepared and stay informed," Mr Heffernan said.
"Take this opportunity ahead of the FDP to clean up your property, but also be cautious when burning it off and ensure it's properly extinguished.
"Now is also the time to sit down with your household and prepare your bushfire plan."
Local councils can advise on burn offs and bush fire preparation.
Those conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website www.firepermits.vic.gov.au, or by calling 1800 668 511.