CFA district 20 operations manager Peter Taylor said the community should remain vigilant even though the fire danger period was ending. 

"The southern part of the Loddon Shire is still very dry and has received low levels of soaking rain including areas that border forest and parks," he said. 

"Although the official Fire Danger Period is coming to a close, recent grassfires have demonstrated how quickly fires can take hold and grassfires travel faster than you can run.

"They can threaten properties and even kill.” 

Mr Taylor said people planning burns needed to follow a series of steps, including checking local municipal by-laws, having a break more than three metres around the fire and being in attendance at all time during the burn. 

Fire danger periods are based on local conditions and take into account fuel moisture, fuel loads, grassland curing, weather and rainfall. 

Every household should have a fire plan. 

Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au for more information about bushfire safety.