Hot summer incoming, Fire Danger Period starting next week

Hot summer incoming, Fire Danger Period starting next week

Last updated on 22 November 2024

Residents are being urged to prepare their properties for another volatile summer forecast, as the Fire Danger Period commences from next Monday.

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has declared the Fire Danger Period for the Macedon Ranges will begin from 1am on 25 November 2024 and end on 1 May 2025 (unless otherwise advised). No fires can be lit in the open air without a permit during this period.

In its long-range forecast for December to February shows, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast an increased chance of warmer than average days and nights across most of Australia and that above average rainfall is likely for large parts of eastern Australia.

Council’s CEO, Bernie O’Sullivan, said several shire-wide fire prevention initiatives were already well progressed to cut grass along Council-managed roadsides, keep trees clear from powerlines and reduce fuel loads on private properties.

“We know fire does not discriminate and so it is important for us to complete annual programs we’re responsible for, while working closely with the community to collectively reduce the shire’s fire risk,” he said.

“I encourage residents to either review their existing fire plan or take the time to create one, drawing from the range of useful resources available online through trusted authorities such as the CFA.”

Annual fire prevention activities in Council-managed areas to date have included:

a roadside grass slashing program on Council-managed roads, with contractors starting in the north of the shire and working their way south to provide initial coverage of the shire (the Department of Transport and Planning undertakes its own program to maintain state-managed roadsides)  an electric line vegetation clearance program within declared areas of Gisborne and Kyneton, to keep trees a safe distance away from powerlines (Powercor is responsible for pruning vegetation within the shire outside of Gisborne and Kyneton, with Jemena responsible for Gisborne South) inspections of private properties, checking for fire hazards such as unmaintained long grass, excessive woodpiles or other debris.

One standard trailer-load of residential green waste can be disposed of for free at Council’s resource recovery facilities in Kyneton, Romsey and Woodend, via a redeemable voucher in the Winter 2024 edition of Council's ShireLife newsletter publication delivered to mailboxes locally.

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