Fire restrictions lifted tomorrow

Fire restrictions will be Gippsland tomorrow.

The fire danger period and seasonal prohibited period will end at 1am tomorrow morning.

CFA assistant chief officer Trevor Owen said it had been a long and exceptionally dry summer again this year and while the weather has cooled down, people still needed to be extra cautious with fire.

“If you’re planning a burn, no matter how small, you must first check your local council’s laws about when and where you can burn off and register your burn-off on the burn off notification line on 1800 668 511, even if it’s only a heap of garden rubbish,” he said.

“Any fire left unattended in windy conditions can spread into bushland, onto a neighbour’s property or into other materials which could cause untold damage.

“Our firefighters in Forest Fire Management and CFA have been fighting fires for many months and are now working hard on the planned burning program to protect our communities.”

“They do not want to be called out to fires that have started through irresponsible or lazy behaviour,” Mr Owen said.

Forest Fire Management Victoria’s assistant lifted across chief fire officer for Gippsland Beth Roberts said too many campfires had caused fires this season and urged people to continue to take care.

“Anyone living in or travelling through Gippsland needs to keep an eye on the weather and be aware of their surroundings,” she said.

CFA acting chief officer Gavin Freeman reminded residents to register any burn-off they were considering undertaking, and to check the local conditions on the day.

“Even if you have registered your burn, conditions can change quickly and fires can get out of control within minutes in dry and windy conditions.

“We are reminding people to always register their burn-offs so we know what is happening in the area, especially if brigades are being called to fires.

Landowners can register their burn-off with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) by calling 1800 668 511 or emailing burnoffs@esta.vic.gov.au

“It reduces the chances of CFA brigades being called out unnecessarily if a member of the public calls about smoke or a fire in the area,” Mr Freeman said.