Liam McNally
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has announced the Fire Danger Period (FDP) is now in effect for the Melton municipality, along with other areas in the CFA’s North West Region.
During the FDP lighting a fire in the open without a permit is an offence and can bring a penalty of over $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment.
The return of a La Niña weather pattern has led to widespread rainfall and flooding in parts of
the state, particularly in October, however the CFA warns communities shouldn’t become
complacent about the increasing fire risk this season.
The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for summer identified potential for increased grassfire
conditions for the 2022/23 fire season, due to significant grass growth and delayed harvest
Activities.
CFA District 14 assistant chief fire officer Tim Holland said the crops and grass in the
paddocks and along roadsides are green now, but they will dry out.
“It has been a few years now since we have seen so much spring grass growth through the
paddocks and grasslands which will provide that higher fuel loads right through summer,” he said.
“As we experience more warmer weather, we will see this grass dry out over the next few
weeks. This dry grass will burn, fire will spread which means we could see larger grass fires
around the outer suburbs of Melbourne.”
While CFA firefighters are preparing for the bushfire season, they are urging the community to
use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires.
Residents in the affected municipalities should take this opportunity ahead of the FDP to
reduce the fuel loads around their home, slashing the grass and clean up their property.
No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website.
More information and restrictions are published on the CFA website.
Details: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-danger-period-restrictions.
