Fire restrictions announced for parts of Pyrenees Shire

The Fire Danger Period will begin at 01.00am on Monday, 30 November 2020 for the following municipality in District 16 in CFA’s West Region:

  • Pyrenees Shire (northern part)

Fire restrictions announced for parts of Pyrenees Shire

The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Victoria released on 31 August identified potential for reduced risk of campaign bushfires in East Gippsland for the 2020/21 season.

Over the past six months, Victoria has recorded close to average rainfall.

While areas in the far south-west received rainfall well above average in recent weeks, there are pockets of Victoria that still received below-average rainfall.

For example, in eastern parts of the state September rainfall ranged from ‘much below average’ to ‘lowest on record’.

From November to December, we can expect above-average rainfall across Victoria due to the influence of La Niña, particularly across the northern parts and mountain regions.

Considering the outlook and current conditions, the fire season has the potential to be a grassfire-dominated season, with shorter-duration fires in grass and dry forests during hotter and windier days.

CFA reminds Victorians not to be complacent as an average fire season in this state can still be a bad one.

CFA District 16 Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Bernie Fradd said the recent good rains has generated abundant growth in grasslands and crop.

“Once these fully dry out the potential for significant fires in the local area cannot be underestimated,” said ACFO Fradd.

“There is still time to ensure homes and properties are well prepared. Mowing or slashing grasslands and clearing undergrowth can all be still done safely, and I urge residents to use the next few weeks while the grass is green and the weather mild to undertake this important work.

“It is also very important to check any burn offs that have been done over winter to ensure they are fully extinguished.

“This means raking over the ash and coals to ensure there are no hot spots or smouldering logs or roots, as it is not uncommon for large piles and burn offs to continue burning unnoticed for months only to escape when we have hot, dry and windy conditions later in the year.

“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.”

ACFO Fradd said 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 callouts to brigades,” ACFO Fradd 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.

/CFA News Release. View in full here.