Residents urged to be fire ready as restrictions to start on Monday 30 November

CFA is urging residents to be fire ready as the November heatwave serves as an early season reminder of what awaits all Victorians this Summer.

The unprecedented November hot spell, along with forecast hot weather, has prompted CFA Outer Metro Norwest Area to advise residents that the Fire Danger Period (‘fire restrictions’) for the municipalities of Macedon Ranges, Whittlesea, Moorabool, Nillumbik, Wyndham, Melton, Mitchell and Hume will commence at 1am on Monday 30 November 2009 and remain in force until 1 May 2010.

Manager Community Safety, David Allen, said the sudden onset of hot weather was the clearest call yet for residents to be prepared this fire season.

“This heatwave goes to show it doesn’t take much for vegetation, in particular grasslands, to dry out in these conditions. Only a fortnight ago people were talking about the excellent Spring rains and the green countryside. Now they’re talking about the Spring heat and the rapidly yellowing landscape.

“That’s how quickly things can change; it is therefore important that decisions are made now so that on high fire risk days, residents are well-prepared, well-informed and ready to take action. That includes leaving early, either the evening before a forecast bad day or in the morning. Not leaving early, particularly on a Code Red (Catastrophic) day may result in loss of life,” said Mr Allen.

“If people haven’t already done so, now is the time to get busy around their homes and to clean their gutters; clear leaf litter and other fine fuels from around homes; to remove flammable items such as paper, boxes and crates; and to store fuel supplies and chemicals away from houses.

“If residents need more information on how to prepare and what to do in the event of a fire, the CFA website, www.cfa.vic.gov.au is a great resource. It includes the FireReady Kit, a new resource to help residents prepare their bushfire survival plan and the Household Bushfire Self assessment tool, a new tool that takes residents through a number of steps to assess the defendability of their home.

“Residents can also call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 for bushfire planning advice or attend one of many CFA bushfire meetings scheduled in their local area.”

Fire Restrictions: the details

·         Under a fire restrictions regime, a permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth or weeds. This permit is issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.

·         Barbeques and fires for cooking and warmth, however, do not require a permit, but must be lit in properly constructed fireplaces, within limits of wind speed and clearance perimeter, and are to be supervised at all times.

·         All burn-offs should be registered with the VicFire Burn-off notification line on 1800 668 511.

·         Lighting a fire in the open without a permit is an offence and can bring a penalty of up to $5,500 or 12 months imprisonment.

·         The Can I or Can’t I? brochure, also available from the CFA  website, details the fire restrictions  regime, including the differences between fire restrictions and Total Fire Ban days.

·         CFAs On the Land: Agricultural Fire Management Guidelines provides practical fire management advice for people living and working on rural properties and is particularly useful to those new to farming. To view and/or download the guidelines, go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

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