CFA is urging Victorians, including those in Melton and Moorabool, to take extra precautions while burning-off ahead of the Fire Danger Period (FDP) to avoid penalties and unnecessary use of emergency services resources.
Last year, CFA responded to 819 callouts for escaped burn-offs between January and December,
with 48 per cent (396 incidents) occurring in September, October, and November alone.
This concerning trend appears to be ongoing in 2024, with CFA already having responded to 37 incidents throughout September.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said this number is far too high and emphasised the widespread impact escaped burn-offs have.
“We are aiming for a significant reduction in escaped burn-off incidents this season as we head towards the FDP,” he said.
“Last year’s numbers, especially during Spring, placed an unnecessary strain on CFA crews, neighbouring properties, and the community.
“Letting a burn-off escape during the FDP can result in severe penalties, including heavy fines and liability for damages caused.”
Under the CFA Act, penalties for allowing a burn-off to escape during a declared FDP 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.
District 22 assistant chief fire officer Rohan Taylor highlighted the impact of a recent incident in Violet Town.
“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,” Mr Taylor said.
“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.”
Rohan stressed that this incident underscores the exact scenario CFA is trying to avoid.
The Violet Town incident was not registered online as a burn-off, which added additional challenges for responders.
“The most important steps are registering your burn-off, ensuring you have the tools to manage it, and monitoring it closely,” he added.
“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, it’s more critical than ever to handle burn-offs responsibly.”
For more information or to register your burn-off, visit the CFA website.
