The Fire Danger Period will begin at 01:00 on Monday, 9 December 2019 for the remainder of following municipalities in CFA’s District 17:
- West Wimmera Shire
- Horsham Rural City
This brings the whole of the 4 Municipalities in District 17 being Hindmarsh, Horsham, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack into the fire danger period.
The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Southern Australia released in late August identified potential for above normal bushfire activity across the coastal and foothill forests of East Gippsland, and there’s also a growing risk north of the divide extending into south east New South Wales.
A warm and dry outlook also carries some risk that ash forests in the central highlands and Otways may dry out faster and become more flammable than normal during summer. Across the rest of Victoria, normal bushfire activity is expected, but CFA reminds Victorians that even an average fire season in the state can be a bad one.
CFA District 17 Acting Operations Manager Alfred Mason said with good rainfall over winter and leading into spring there is an abundant growth in crops, roadside fuels and general grasslands.
“As fuel loads quickly dry out with the warmer weather and strong winds, the risk of fire is increasing. It is incumbent on all members of our communities to ensure we undertake preparation to limit the risk of fires starting, limit the chance of fires taking hold and limit the spread of fires,” Mr Mason said.
“Whilst we know crops and grasses are drying out, bushland is already dry and susceptible to fires, which is a concern.
“While CFA and its partner agencies Parks Victoria, Forest Fire Management, and Emergency 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 Mason said there was still a short window of opportunity to clean up your property if you haven’t already done so.
“People need to be aware that if using fire to clean up around their properties they need to register these on 1800 668 511. So far this year, out-of-control burn-offs and unregistered burn-offs have already caused unnecessary call-outs to for brigades,” Mr Mason said.
“You should not burn off when winds are high or high winds are forecast – not only on the day of your burn but for the days afterwards.
