Gabriella Vukman
As of Monday December 18, the Fire Danger Period has begun.
With the Country Fire Authority’s banning of open-air burning without a permit as of 1am December 18, folks of the Yarra Ranges are encouraged to remove debris and other potential fire fuel items from around their homes.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Councillor Sophie Todorov said, “fallen tree debris, grass, twigs and excess vegetation can dry out and become very flammable in the event of a bush or grass fire, so it’s important to clear up what you can before the fire season begins properly.”
CFA’s Manager of Community Safety for the North East Region, Darren Valley, said “the best way to defend your home is to prepare before restrictions begin in your area, including cleaning up gardens, gutters and removing flammable waste from your yard.”
Those who wish to conduct burn offs in order to ensure their property is fire safe must ensure they are abiding by Council Local Laws.
The first step is to head to the Yarra Ranges Council website to see what the requirements are for your area.
Requirements differ between Rural, Bushland and Urban categories.
“Residents who wish to conduct burn-offs on their private properties need to follow some basic rules such as checking weather conditions, monitoring the wind, following Council local laws and registering their burn-off,” Mr Viney said.
Residents living in rural areas, according to the council page are permitted to “burn off for fuel reduction or biosecurity purposes any day of the week, provided wind speed and other requirements are met.”
Chimneys and Fire Pits can also be used in rural areas for personal comfort at any time, provided they do not cause offensive smoke.
Those living in Bushland areas are not permitted to burn off in June or July. Fire pits and Chimneys are allowed.
Burning off is not permitted in the Urban category.
Some Legal exigencies under the local law include;
“a person must not, without a permit, light a fire in a public place.”
“A person must not, without a permit, engage in open air burning or use an incinerator at any time.”
“All fires and incinerators must be extinguished before being left unattended.
“Permits will not be issued for CFA Declared Total Fire Ban Days or during CFA Declared Fire Danger Periods.”
Keep a lookout for high risk and total fire ban days and have your evacuation plans in order to ensure a safe and pleasurable summer.
Visit the Yarra Ranges Council website for more information at: https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Environment/Burning-off
