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Photo: The quickest and easiest way to register your burn-off is via the Fire permits Victoria website.
As hundreds of thousands of Victorians begin preparing their property for fire season, emergency services are encouraging landowners to register any planned burn-offs online, through the Fire Permits Victoria website.
Landowners will be looking to take advantage of the coming long weekend and spring conditions, ahead of an earlier start to this year’s fire season.
Therefore, authorities expect a surge in burn-off registrations this weekend and over the coming weeks.
The quickest and easiest way to register your burn-off is by using the Fire Permits Victoria website at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify.
ESTA’s Chief Operating Officer Nicole Ashworth says while the burn-off registration phone line (1800 668 511) is still available, callers can experience long wait times on days of high demand.
“Using the Fire Permits Victoria website to register your burn-off also ensures ESTA’s fire call takers can focus their efforts on taking emergency triple zero calls,” she said.
“Earlier this year, we experienced days with more than 1200 non-emergency calls to register burn-offs on private land, so we’re encouraging people to start pivoting to the easy-to-use Fire Permits Victoria website.”
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the Fire Permits Victoria website is the preferred platform for community members to register their burns.
“By registering your burn-off, it allows emergency services to verify the fire is a planned burn if Triple Zero (000) receive any good intent calls to report it as an actual fire,” he said.
“Unregistered burns can lead to unnecessary call outs for your local fire brigade.”
The website allows you to notify emergency services of your burn, and also check and apply for a permit, if necessary.
However, if your burn is taking place within the next two hours, you must register your burn via the phone line on 1800 668 511.
