Firies sick of

By Bridget Brady
Officer In Charge at Cranbourne Fire Station, Jim Dore, said many property owners conducting burn-offs in the Devon Meadows and surrounding areas had not obtained a permit that was now required for any fire lit in the open air in Casey, regardless of the size of the property. Previously, a permit was only needed for those on five acres or less.
Mr Dore said the Cranbourne brigade had attended about 20 burn-offs in the last two weeks, and most did not have a permit.
“Not many are getting permits and it’s not our responsibility to police the by-laws of the shire,” he said.
Mr Dore also encouraged residents to notify the fire brigade when they planned a burn-off, so they could record where fires were due to take place and did not have to treat every report of smoke or fire “with lights and sirens”.
“We’ve been driven mad by people burning without even notifying anyone,” Mr Dore said.
“Even when we get a report of a smell of a fire it’s our responsibility to go and check it out and if we don’t go and it’s a house fire we’re in a bit of strife.
“It’s just a matter of ringing us and telling us.”
Mr Dore said some residents had told firefighters they didn’t realise they needed a permit, and Mr Dore said people could have been informed better about the permit changes that were made in February.
To notify the Cranbourne Fire Station about a burn-off call 5996 1809.