Ash Bolt
The City of Greater Geelong, the Surf Coast Shire and the Borough of Queenscliff are all set to enter the fire danger period, with the CFA declaring restrictions will come into force from Monday.
The CFA declared the start of shire’s fire danger period this week, based on the fire risk, rainfall and local conditions.
It will run until May.
During a fire danger period, residents are unable to light a fire in the open air unless they have a permit or comply with certain requirements.
The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Victoria has identified an increased risk of grassfires this summer, due to above average rainfall during winter and spring, which led to above normal pasture growth across paddocks and roadsides.
Grassland and drier forests including woodlands and heathlands have been assessed as normal, however shorter-duration fires are still likely to occur on hot, dry and windy days.
CFA District 7 acting assistant chief fire officer Wayne Aylmer said even an average fire season could still be a bad one.
“Conditions through the last fire season were similar to what we’re expecting this year, and during those months we saw significant grassfires in the north and west of the state,” he said.
“Throughout the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Borough of Queenscliff municipalities we’ve had plenty of winter and spring rainfall, and now the grasslands have rapidly dried out with the warmer weather which has seen the increased fuel loads having a greater fire potential.
“Reducing fuel loads in these areas will ensure if a fire does break out, it has less chance of taking hold or spreading.
“While CFA and our partner agencies Fire Rescue Victoria and Forest Fire 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.”
Mr Aylmer said once the fire danger period came into effect, CFA had a zero-tolerance approach to any fires caused by negligent behaviour.
“Expect any escaped or uncontrolled fire you start to be investigated by CFA and Victoria Police,” he said.
You can apply for a permit at firepermits.vic.gov.au.
