By Jamie Salter
The Fire Danger Period for Casey residents is set to begin at 1am on Monday 10 January.
The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Victoria released in November 2021 identified potential for increased grassfire conditions for the 2021/22 fire season.
Much of Victoria has experienced average to above-average rainfall during winter and spring which has led to above-normal pasture growth across paddocks and roadsides and an increased grass fire risk throughout the summer period.
Grassland and drier forests including woodlands and heathlands have been assessed as normal, however, shorter-duration fires are still likely to occur on hot, dry and windy days.
Deputy chief officer Trevor Owen said even an average fire season can still be a bad one.
“Conditions through the last fire season were similar to what we’re expecting this year, and during those months we saw significant grass fires in the north and west of the state,” he said.
“Once again we’ve had plenty of winter and spring rainfall which delayed the introduction of fire restrictions across the South East Region.
“The grass and bush has very rapidly dried out over the Christmas and New Year period with little rainfall and some hot weather.
“Grassland fuels are abundant this season and in many locations over waist height, further increasing the potential grassfire risk over the summer period.“
Mr Owen said property owners needed to play their part to reduce the risk of fires this summer.
“Some grassland fuels in paddocks that has an annual cycle life have fully cured and will burn readily on the smallest ignition source,“ he said.
“Reducing fuel loads in these areas is critical to ensuring if a fire does break out, it has less chance of taking hold or spreading.
“While CFA and our partner agencies Fire Rescue Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria are doing everything we can to prepare for the bushfire season, we look to the community to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires.”
People using fire to clean up around their properties should register the burn at the Fire Permits website, firepermits.vic.gov.au, or by calling ESTA on 1800 668 511.
Mr Owen said CFA has a zero tolerance approach to any fires caused by negligent behaviour once the Fire Danger Period comes into effect.
“Expect any escaped or uncontrolled fire you start to be investigated by CFA and Victoria Police,” he said.
The Fire Danger Period applies to the municipalities in CFA’s South West Region including Cardinia Shire, Bass Coast Shire, City of Frankston, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Kingston, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Baw Baw Shire, South Gippsland Shire, Wellington Shire, Latrobe City and French Island.
