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As fire restrictions begin to commence across Victoria, CFA is encouraging landowners to regularly inspect areas recently privately burned to avoid reignition and fire generation.
During the 2025-26 Fire Danger Period, 304 preventable vegetation fires were recorded as reignitions from a previous fire or burn-off.
CFA District 5 Assistant Chief Fire Officer David Ferguson said from both a fire prevention and community safety perspective, it’s important that the community understands the risks of conducting burn-offs and the potential for escapes and reignitions.
“Ensuring burn-offs are appropriately planned, conducted under suitable weather conditions and thoroughly extinguished is paramount, particularly as we start to see warmer days,” David said.
“Reignition from a previous fire can come days, weeks or even months after the initial burn-off and can stem from smouldering piles of vegetation, or tree stumps, tree roots and branches either above the ground or partially buried underground.
“There are many examples across the southwest of embers lying dormant for months before popping up on a hot, windy day.
“We have had quite a dry period, and although we are starting to receive some rainfall, the soil moisture is still low.
“The burn-off you conduct now could still become an issue in February. We ask you not to burn on top of stumps or roots and keep an eye on the burned area regularly during summer.
“If you are concerned, check in with your local fire brigade to see if they have a thermal imaging camera to inspect the area for you.”
David said in the state’s southwest, burning piles of old cypress and blue gum plantation trees have been the main offenders.
“Old shelter belts are regularly being taken down now as their time is done, and burning is the predominate method of cleaning up the remains,” David said.
“While we encourage landowners to take the opportunity now to prepare their properties and clean up around their homes, it is critical they do so safely.
“The prevalence of reignitions is a timely reminder that if a fire escapes from your property and starts a bushfire and burns other properties, you may be liable.”
Before igniting a private burn-off, landowners should always check and follow the regulations set by their local council and obtain a permit if activity is planned during a Fire Danger Period.
“Check the weather forecast a few days out of your private planned burn, on the day and the days afterward and postpone if it is a high fire danger day,” David said.
“The slight increase in wind speed could produce conditions that may promote fire spread into surrounding unburnt areas. Please do not leave it unattended.
“It goes without saying, but always have enough people on hand to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn effectively and maintain a clear fire break from flammable material.”
