The CFA is reminding people to check their local regulations before burning off on their properties.
Before burning off, the CFA recommends ensuring:
- You're following regulations or laws set by the CFA and your local council;
- You notify your neighbours if your activity will generate fire and smoke;
- Check the weather forecast for the day of the activity and a few days afterwards;
- Establish a gap in vegetation or firebreak with no less than 3m cleared of all flammable material;
- There are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively; and
- You notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority.
Burn-offs need to be registered with ESTA, which can be done online at the Fire Permits Victoria website firepermits.vic.gov.au if starting more than two hours in the future, or by calling 1800 668 511 if starting immediately.
National Relay Service users can call 1300 555 727 and ask for information to be relayed to ESTA via 1800 668 511.
When registering burn-offs, provide the location, date and expected start and finish times, estimated size and what you intend to burn.
Unregistered burns can result in brigades being called out unnecessarily.