The CFA is reminding residents to take care when burning off following a high volume of out-of-control burn-offs across the state last week.
Firefighters attended more than 30 burn-offs across Victoria which spread out of control or were not registered with authorities.
CFA state duty officer Craig Brownlie urged residents to register their burn-offs and check weather conditions before starting the burn. He said any calls made to triple-0 were cross-checked with the burn-off register and firefighters attended when nothing was listed.
“Calls to unregistered burn-offs take volunteer firefighters away from workplaces, families and potentially genuine emergencies,” Mr Brownlie said.
“So if you haven’t registered your burn you can expect fireys arriving at your property asking you to ‘please explain’.”
He said burning off undergrowth and other vegetation was generally permitted outside the fire danger period but landowners still needed to register their burn-off with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA).
The fire danger period for Moorabool and Melton has been lifted.
Moorabool council has reminded residents and property owners to check with the council’s customer service staff on 5366 7100 and the CFA website for requirements before preparing a burn-off on their property.
