Declared Fire Season and Total Fire Ban Days

Year-round restrictions

Residents must ensure that all grass, weeds and scrub on their property are less than 10cm high.

Declared Fire Season

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the Municipal Fire Prevention Officers for the fire district analyse the risk of fire and declare a Fire Season (Fire Danger Period). The Chief Fire Officer for the CFA will declare a Total Fire Ban day when the fire risk is high.

The 2019/20 Declared Fire Season will officially begin on Monday 9 December 2019.

Lighting fires

Lighting fires without a permit in a Declared Fire Season is extremely dangerous and will attract severe penalties, including fines and possible imprisonment.

Barbecues

You can still have a gas or electric barbecue during this time as long as you do the following:

• use a properly constructed barbecue, that is not fuelled by wood, charcoal or briquettes
• completely clear an area of 3 metres above and around the barbecue
• ensure a supervising adult is present while the fire is lit
• check that the wind speed is less than 10km/h
• do not light the barbecue within 7.5 metres of any log or stump
• have enough water available to put out the fire

Total Fire Ban days

The CFA declares Total Fire Ban days and announces them the previous night, through all major media outlets. These are days of extreme fire danger with high temperatures and strong winds.

On days of high fire danger, stay informed by listening to ABC 774 or local regional radio.

If travelling on days of high fire danger, listen to the radio and avoid driving in long grass.

You can also contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on 1800 240 667 to find out about any fires in the area on the day.

On Total Fire Ban days, you must not light any fires, or allow them to remain lit. This includes:

• campfires
• barbecues fuelled by wood, charcoal or briquettes
• outdoor ovens
• burning off grass or rubbish

You can still use public barbecues, because all the barbecues within our parks are electric and designed for safety. They are located in cleared areas and automatically turn off after 15 minutes of use.

You can still use a portable stove if you follow these strict conditions:

• use gas or electricity for fuel
• locate it within 20 metres of a permanent dwelling (caravans, tents and mobile homes are not classified as permanent dwellings)
• have a hose connected to a water supply nearby and ready for use
• completely clear all flammable material from the 3 metre area around and above the barbecue
• ensure a supervising adult is present while the fire is lit
• have at least 10 litres of water available in case of an emergency

We also advise against all non-essential work, using:

• chainsaws
• plant trimmers
• lawnmowers/slashers
• welding or grinding tools

For more information about essential work, visit the CFA website.

Fireworks

It is illegal to set off fireworks in a public place without first obtaining a fireworks permit from Council and the Victorian WorkCover Authority.

We may issue a permit as long as it meets certain conditions.