CFA Urges Victorians to Take Precautions and Register Burn-Offs to Avoid Penalties and Strain on Emergency Services Resources.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) is reminding residents in Wyndham to be cautious when conducting burn-offs before the Fire Danger Period (FDP) begins. This is to avoid penalties and unnecessary use of emergency services resources.
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Last year, CFA received 819 callouts for escaped burn-offs from January to December. A significant 48% (396 incidents) occurred during September, October, and November. Unfortunately, this trend seems to be continuing in 2024, with CFA already responding to 37 incidents in September alone.
CFA’s chief officer Jason Heffernan expressed concern over the high number of escaped burn-offs and the impact it has on the community. He stated, “We are aiming for a significant reduction in escaped burn-off incidents this season as we head towards the FDP. Last year’s numbers, especially during Spring, placed an unnecessary strain on CFA crews, neighboring properties, and the community.”
Heffernan also warned of the severe penalties for allowing a burn-off to escape during a declared FDP. These can include fines up to $23,710, 12 months imprisonment, or both. The penalty is doubled if an escape occurs on a Total Fire Ban Day.
Assistant chief fire officer of District 22, Rohan Taylor, highlighted the impact of a recent incident in Violet Town. He stated, “We were called to a grass and scrub fire in Violet Town just after 1pm. It quickly became clear that it was an escaped burn-off. We deployed five tankers to control the fire, which burned a relatively large area. It required a significant effort to contain, and while it occurred in cooler weather, the situation could have been far worse under warmer conditions.”
Taylor stressed that this incident highlights the exact scenario CFA is trying to avoid. He also mentioned that the Violet Town incident was not registered online as a burn-off, which added additional challenges for responders. He advised, “The most important steps are registering your burn-off, ensuring you have the tools to manage it, and monitoring it closely. We strongly encourage residents to clean up their properties before the bushfire season, but safety must always come first.”
With warmer and drier conditions predicted for this fire season, CFA is urging residents to handle burn-offs responsibly. To register your burn-off or for more information, visit the CFA website.
