Media Release Tuesday, 2 December 2014 Fire restrictions for Gippsland CFA and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) will introduce fire restrictions for all municipalities in Gippsland. The Fire Danger Period and the Fire Prohibited Period will start from 1.00 am on Monday December 8 2014 and will stay in place until May 1 2015 unless stated otherwise. CFA’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Trevor Owen said that following the introduction of the restrictions no fires can be lit on private land without a permit. “To protect community safety, permits are subject to stringent conditions and can be obtained from CFA or your local Municipal Fire Prevention Officer,” Mr Owen said. “Permits for burning off in the Fire Protected Area, which is private property within 1.5kms of public land north of the Princes Highway in the Baw Baw and Latrobe City Shires only, can be obtained from a DEPI Fire Management Officer at the Erica and Noojee DEPI offices. Otherwise, no fires are permitted to be lit in this area during the Fire Prohibited Period.” “The community needs to be fire ready – especially those living in high risk areas. Fire restrictions are in place for a reason – to help prevent fires from starting.” DEPI Regional Manager Fire and Land, Richard Teychenne said fire is a natural part of our environment and Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world, with days of extreme fire danger every year. “Both fire services are well-resourced to respond to the threat of bushfire, with additional fire fighters, new equipment and an expanded aircraft fleet.” “DEPI and CFA fire season preparations are based on consultation with the wider community and sound planning and risk management processes. However it is vital that residents understand and comply with fire restrictions which help to prevent bushfires,” he said. We urge residents to make preparation for fire a habit so they are not caught unprepared when bushfires strike, Mr Teychenne said. “Prepare your property, prepare yourself and prepare your family for fire. Have a fire plan in place and most importantly, practise it.” “It’s up to you to check Fire Danger Ratings every day in summer – these help you know when the conditions are dangerous enough to enact your fire plan. Remember that if you can see smoke, you’re leaving it too late. A fire that is miles away could be at your door in minutes.” To find out more about getting ready for the fire season visit cfa.vic.gov.au or call 1800 240 667. A map showing fire restriction across Victorian municipalities and a Can I or Can’t I? brochure is available at cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions (detailing the restrictions and the differences between FDP and Total Fire Ban days) and is also available by phoning the VBIL on 1800 240 667. This CFA webpage also includes a link to further information about the DEPI prohibited period. Fire Danger Period restrictions: the details · Fires in the open air are legally restricted when a FDP is declared in a municipality by CFA. A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation. This permit is issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA District Office. All burn-offs should be registered with the VicFire Burn-off notification line on 1800 668 511 as part of the permit conditions. · Lighting a fire in the open without a permit is an offence and can bring a penalty of over $17,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment. Barbeques and fires for cooking and warmth do not require a permit, but must: be lit in properly constructed fireplaces (i.e. metal, stone or concrete), not be used in strong winds (less than or equal to 10km per hour), be clear of all flammable material for 3m from the outer perimeter and be supervised at all times by a person who has the capacity and means to extinguish the fire. (details in Can I or Can’t I?). · The use of: an incinerator, chainsaw/lawn mower, welding/grinding equipment, vehicles that come in contact with vegetation and machinery with an internal combustion/heat engine are permitted provided guidelines are followed (details in Can I or Can’t I?). · CFAs On the Land: Agricultural Fire Management Guidelines provides practical fire management advice for people living and working on rural properties and is particularly useful
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 03:54:12 +0000