By JESSE GRAHAM
YARRA Ranges residents are being urged to get their properties fire-ready before the end of the month, with the Fire Danger Period set to begin on Monday, 30 November.
The CFA has announced that the FDP for the Yarra Ranges municipality will begin as 30 November, following Murrindindi’s FDP beginning early on 26 October.
During the FDP, no fires are allowed to be started in open air without permits.
Mayor Jason Callanan urged residents to make sure they were ready for the fire season, with several ‘outbreaks’ in the area in recent months.
“Predictions are for another hot and high risk season,“ Cr Callanan said.
“Make sure your plan takes into consideration your local environment, and know your own limitations.“
Earlier in October, CFA crews from the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges were called out to a bushfire in Yellingbo, where a burn-off had smouldered for two weeks and re-ignited in hot weather.
Yellingbo CFA Captain, Paul Spinks, said at the time that a properly extinguished burn-off should be cool to touch, and should not be left until it is absolutely put out.
Cr Callanan said that residents should be wary of heat, and should look after elderly people, children and pets.
Councillor Maria McCarthy said residents should clean up branches and green waste from their properties, to minimise the danger if a fire broke out.
“They should be clearing their property, they should be making sure their gardens are tidy and all of their leaves and tree branches and everything should be cleaned up,” she said.
“Generally, just be alert – it’s been a pretty horrific start already.”
Cr McCarthy said that residents should not be complacent about their fire safety, and to “be alert”.
“In some respects, we’re more fortunate being in Yarra Ranges – we’re greener than Mitchell or Murrindindi (Shires).
“We can only learn from them, use them as a guide that no matter how secure you think you are, in these sort of circumstances, you’re not.”
The CFA recommends that all burn-offs be registered with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority, by calling 1800 668 511.
When burning off, residents should establish a fire break of at least three metres, cleared of all flammable materials, and ensure there is someone to monitor the fire with the ability to extinguish the fire completely.
Yarra Ranges Council requires burn-offs to have at least 10 litres of water available, or a reticulated water supply nearby to extinguish the fire, and burn-offs may not be lit when wind speeds are more than 15km/h.
The Murrindindi FDP will end as of 1 May, 2016.
For more information about rules and restrictions during Fire Danger Periods, and with burning off, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/burning-off, www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au or www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au.
