A WET autumn in some districts, along with dry conditions in others and periods of unseasonable hot temperatures, has heightened the risk of fires in districts north-west of Bendigo.
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The Fire Danger Period in some local government areas in Country Fire Authority districts 18 and 20 has been brought forward by up to a month for 2014.
The period will begin on October 27 in District 18 councils, including the northern part of Yarriambiack and Swan Hill, as well as Mildura and Buloke Shire Council.
Loddon and Gannawarra shire council residents will begin the Fire Danger Period in the first week of November.
CFA District 20 operations officer Matt Gardner said some districts could face a higher risk of fire than others.
"The risk of fire is substantially higher in some areas than others locally, due to the fact that parts of the district have experienced below average rainfall and crops have started drying," Mr Gardner said.
"We have been informed that there is an increased chance of frequent thunderstorms in the coming months, meaning localised heavy rainfall and thunderstorm periods."
The CFA has briefed local fire authorities with the risks associated with the upcoming summer.
Mr Gardner said current conditions were not suitable for conducting burn-offs to reduce some fuel levels.
"It would be best to conduct the burning-off of heavy fuels such as tree stumps and logs in autumn after the end of the Fire Danger Period," he said.
Lighter fuels such as grass and small branches could still be burnt, but people needed to consider the weather conditions, particularly wind, during and up to 24 hours after a burn-off, Mr Gardner said.
There have been several fires recently where the wind has caught landholders out around Lockington, Tongala and at Llanelly near Murphys Creek.
Mr Gardner said these fires took up unnecessary hours of volunteer time due to negligence.
"The worst thing that can happen is that a burn-off from these types of heavy fuels can flare up six or so weeks after the initial burning occurred, and generally they flare up on hot, dry, windy days with landholders thinking they were extinguished," he said.
The Fire Danger Period has yet to be declared in District 2, including the City of Greater Bendigo and surrounding districts.
Smoke clouded districts surrounding Bendigo on Monday with a number of controlled burns taking place.
When the Fire Danger Period begins, fires cannot be lit in the open air without a permit.
Chainsaws and lawn mowers can still be used, but are not permitted on days of Total Fire Ban.