The Country Fire Authority is urging Victorians to take extra precautions while burning-off ahead of the Fire Danger Period to avoid penalties and unnecessary use of emergency services resources.
Last year, CFA responded to 819 call-outs for escaped burn-offs between January and December, with 48 per cent (396 incidents) occurring in September, October, and November alone. This trend appears to be ongoing in 2024, with CFA already having responded to 37 incidents between September 1 and 20.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said this number was too high and emphasised the widespread impact escaped burn-offs had.
“We are aiming for a significant reduction in escaped burn-off incidents this season as we head towards the FDP,” Mr Heffernan said.
“Last year’s numbers, especially during spring, placed an unnecessary strain on CFA crews, neighbouring properties, and the community.
“Letting a burn-off escape during the FDP can result in severe penalties, including heavy fines and liability for damages caused.”
Under the CFA Act, penalties for allowing a burn-off to escape during a declared FDP can include fines up to $23,710, 12 months imprisonment, or both. The penalty is doubled if an escape occurs on a Total Fire Ban Day.
District 22 assistant chief fire officer Rohan Taylor highlighted the impact of a recent incident in Violet Town.
“We were called to a grass and scrub fire in Violet Town just after 1pm. It quickly became clear that it was an escaped burn-off,” he said.
“We deployed five tankers to control the fire, which burned a relatively large area. It required a significant effort to contain, and while it occurred in cooler weather, the situation could have been far worse under warmer conditions.”
Mr Taylor stressed this incident underscored the exact scenario CFA was trying to avoid. The Violet Town incident was not registered online as a burn-off, which added additional challenges for responders.
“The most important steps are registering your burn-off, ensuring you have the tools to manage it, and monitoring it closely,” Mr Taylor said.
“We strongly encourage residents to clean up their properties before the bushfire season, but safety must always come first.
“With warmer and drier conditions predicted for this fire season, it’s more critical than ever to handle burn-offs responsibly.”
For more information or to register a burn-off, visit the CFA website.
