THE Fire Danger Period (FDP) will begin at 1am on Monday, November 25, for municipalities in CFA’s South West region including the Southern Grampians Shire, the Moyne Shire and the Glenelg Shire.

After a drier-than-average autumn and winter, Victoria’s west and southwest are facing an increased fire risk leading into summer, with substantial amounts of dead and dry plant material in forests making it easier for fires to ignite and spread.

CFA South West Region deputy chief officer, Adrian Gutsche said with an increased fire risk expected in the southwest of the state, now is the time for residents to take action and be prepared.

“While we’ve had some recent rain, we are concerned this has caused additional growth in surrounding vegetation, and will soon dry out, adding to the underlying fire risk,” Mr  Gutsche said.

“We’re asking people to keep an eye out on the VicEmergency App and CFA website, to be aware of the fire danger ratings and to know what their plan is should a fire event arise.

“If you can take the time this week to finalise preparing your properties, we strongly suggest you do so, whether that is reducing vegetation around your property or clearing your gutters.”

Across the rest of the state, a warmer-than-average spring with an uncertain rainfall outlook is expected.

While the fire risk in these areas is considered normal, it’s crucial not to be complacent; fires can still occur anytime and anywhere when temperatures rise, and vegetation dries out.

CFA’s 52,000 members were poised to respond and support communities this bushfire season, and urged people to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires.

Residents in these municipalities in the southwest of the state have been asked to take this opportunity ahead of the FDP to clean up their properties and for landowners to conduct safe private burnoffs where possible.

Those conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or by calling Triple Zero Victoria.

The preference is to register a burn-off online, to allow emergency call takers to allocate more of their time for people who need emergency assistance immediately.

No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website.

There are very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.

Fire Danger Period information

A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP.

A permit may be applied for by searching firepermits.vic.gov.au

It can also be issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA District Office.

Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment.

Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/farms

More information about FDPs is available online at cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod

To find out what can and can’t be done during FDP, please visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or call the VicEmergency Hotline.