Wet spring doesn't remove fire risks

The final two months of spring may have been wetter than normal throughout the district but the still sodden ground is no reason not to be well prepared for fire outbreaks.
There is no indication yet when summer fire restrictions may be introduced in the District 9 CFA area, that covers much of West and South Gippsland and part of East Gippsland, but fire authorities are urging people to start to prepare their properties and to register any planned burn-offs.
And Baw Baw Shire council last week began its annual fire hazard inspection program to encourage property owners and occupiers to reduce fire loads and bushfire risk around their properties.
Mayor Annemarie McCabe said everyone in the community needed to be aware of their responsibility to reduce fire risk by tidying leaves, twigs, bark and undergrowth and cutting long grass, weeds and overgrown vegetation.
In line with CFA guidelines, the annual inspection program sees council assess properties across the Shire to ensure they do not pose a risk to community safety. Where necessary fire prevention notices may be issued to properties deemed a fire risk.
Fire prevention notices direct property owners or occupiers to remove or clean up vegetation or other combustible materials on their land.
The best way to minimise fire risk is by reducing reduce fuel loads from around the property. This includes tidying leaves, twigs, bark and other undergrowth, and cutting long grass and weeds, and overgrown vegetation that can pose a risk.
"We're asking residents and property owners across Baw Baw to inspect their properties and remove any excess fuel loads in and around the home that could be deemed a potential fire risk," Cr McCabe said.
A Fire Permits Victoria website launched in Victoria two years ago provides a one-stop shop to register burn-offs and apply for a permit prior to, and during, the Fire Danger Period (FDP).
Although burns can also be registered with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (1800 668 511) the use of the fire permits website frees up call takers to focus on emergency calls.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said registering burns or applying for permits was vitally important for community safety.
In the period from late October last year until the beginning of May more than 85,000 burn-offs were registered or approved throughout the state.
Fire Rescue Victoria's acting fire rescue commissioner Gavin Freeman said that despite the milder conditions this season burn0offs could easily escape if not managed and monitored properly.
Sufficient water should always be on hand at the burns and the fires fully extinguished once completed.
People should also keep abreast of weather conditions, not only on the days of the burn-offs but for the following days as well.
In addition to registering burn-offs the fire and emergency services say property owners should should comply with regulations and laws set by the CFA and local council, notify neighbours, leave a three-metre fire break around burns and call Triple Zero (000) immediately if a burn-off gets out of control.