FIRE restrictions will begin in the Mildura Rural City Council municipality on Monday, October 25.
The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Victoria released on August 26 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 this is likely to result in continuous grass and crop fuels through most areas west and north of the Great Dividing Range.
Above normal pasture growth in the Mallee and Wimmera fire districts may see an increase in fire potential in late spring, before harvest.
However, CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said that even an average fire season in the state 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,” Mr Heffernan said.
“Again, we’ve had plenty of winter rainfall and now as the grass and bush rapidly dry out in the north-west of the state, the warmer weather, increased yield and potential fuel will mean the fire potential is heightened,” he said.
“Any additional rainfall we do experience in spring will produce more growth, which could very easily result in an even higher fuel load throughout the summer season if not properly managed.
“Reducing fuel loads in these areas will ensure 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.”
Once a Fire Danger Period has been declared, fires cannot be lit in the open air without a written permit from CFA, FRV or a Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.
Fire Danger Periods are based on local conditions and take into account fuel moisture, fuel loads, grassland curing, weather and rainfall.
