Following a year that saw CFA volunteers respond to 936 incidents tied to escaped burn-offs, authorities are urging landowners to light up with caution this season.

With milder weather conditions, fire restrictions have eased statewide and many residents are taking the opportunity to burn-off grass, stubble, weeds and undergrowth.

However, as the CFA and Triple Zero Victoria remind, proper precautions are essential to prevent emergencies.

Triple Zero Victoria chief operating officer Nicole Ashworth encouraged landowners to register any planned burn-offs online through the Fire Permits Victoria website.

“It’s fast, easy and, most importantly, allows our call-takers to focus on emergency calls,” she said.

Unregistered burns can lead to a surge of unnecessary calls to 000, straining both emergency services and volunteer firefighters.

“When someone calls 000 to report seeing smoke, we can confirm if it’s recorded on the burn-off register,” Ms Ashworth said.

This proactive step ensures that the emergency response is focused on real threats rather than misinterpretations of smoke.

In 2024, more than 19,084 volunteer hours were utilised responding to incidents involving escaped burn-offs, according to CFA acting chief officer Garry Cook.

The fire season is a time of heightened vigilance, and Mr Cook emphasised the importance of safety measures.

“Our message is clear — please don’t leave your burn-off unattended,” he said.

“We ask landowners have enough people and water on hand to monitor, contain and extinguish their burn-off safely and consistently monitor wind conditions before and after the burning day.”

Before lighting up, residents should follow local laws, notify neighbours of potential smoke, check weather forecasts, and postpone burns if high-fire risk conditions arise.

Additionally, a fire break of at least 3m cleared of flammable material is crucial.

By adhering to these precautions, landowners can enjoy a productive autumn while helping keep their communities safe.

Landowners must register planned burn-offs online at firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify and comply with local regulations.

If you wish to start your burn-off immediately, call 1800 668 511, though online registration is preferred.

For more information, visit: cfa.vic.gov.au/burnoff

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Wednesday, 22nd January 2025

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