Get Ready for Fire Danger Season as Inspections Begin 2024

Get Ready for Fire Danger Season as Inspections Begin 2024

Published on 08 November 2024

Following a dry autumn and winter, this year's Fire Danger Period has been declared to begin on 18 November. To prepare for a hot and windy summer, Council is asking property owners to act now to reduce the risk of fire at their properties.

Reducing the risk at your property makes our whole community safer.

As Council's annual fire prevention program begins, we're recommending property owners manage vegetation and flammable materials on their properties while remaining considerate of their neighbours, including:

• Keeping your grass mowed
• Raking up dry vegetation
• Clearing your gutters
• Storing flammable materials away from the house
• Storing LPG cylinders upright with the vent pipe facing away from your house
• Preparing your bushfire plan using the resources on the CFA website

Council is responsible for ensuring the risk of wildfire is reduced across the Shire and has the authority to inspect private land. In instances where timely works have not been completed, Council may issue a Fire Prevention Directions Notice for landowners to remediate hazards to ensure their property is fire safe.

In addition to grass and undergrowth greater than 100mm, fire hazards may also include trees and shrubs close to buildings, green-waste piles, and flammable items near buildings or on allotments within township areas.

As part of our Spring Clean-up initiative to help residents and owners remove flammable material from around their properties, Council is offering a free green waste drop off at the Mansfield Resource Recovery Centre, located at 163 Monkey Gully Road, Mansfield. Each household can bring one 6x4 trailer of green waste.

If you're planning a burn-off, register your burn with Triple Zero Victoria by visiting firepermits.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 668 511.

More information on how to prepare your property is available at cfa.vic.gov.au. Additional resources are also available at mansfield.vic.gov.au.

A flyer with information on preparing for the fire season was distributed with the most recent rates notice, and is available at the municipal offices at 33 Highett Street, Mansfield.

If you have any questions about how to prepare your property, contact Council's Municipal Fire Prevention Officer on 5775 8555 or your local CFA Brigade.

Quotes attributable to Melissa Crane, Executive Manager Investment and Planning

"Everyone has a role to play in keeping our community safe."

"Council takes fire prevention very seriously as we know how devastating fire can be to our community."

"The dry winter we've had this year increases the risk of fires over summer. Dry vegetation will be quicker to burn, presenting a risk to our communities if properties are not prepared in a timely manner."

ENDS

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