Burning off is one of the most effective ways of reducing the fuel load prior to the fire season.
There are, however, some things you should consider before ‘lighting up’:
- Can I burn off?
- Am I prepared?
Can I burn off?
In most circumstances, you can burn off piles of rubbish on your own land, but keep the following in mind:
- Are you within the town area? If you are, you’ll need a permit – contact the Shire on 02 6028 1100.
- Are fire restrictions in force? If they are, you’ll need a permit – contact the Shire on 02 6028 1100.
- Is it a day or Total Fire Ban? You cannot burn off on a day of TFB.
Am I prepared?
Are you prepared. Ultimately, any fire you light is your responsibility:
- Notify all burn-offs to VicFire on 1800 668 511 before you light them.
- Notify any neighbours which may be concerned or affected (they might like to bring the washing in off the line before it gets covered by smoke).
- Is there an adequate gap around the material to be burnt?
- Do I have any fire fighting equipment on-hand in case things go wrong? A trailer with water cart (400 litres), pump and hoses can be borrowed from the fire brigade – give us a few days notice if you wish to borrow one.
- Is the weather suitable? Don’t attempt to burn off when strong wind warnings are current or a significant change is expected.