As Australia's El Nino system continues to strengthen, bringing with its increased fire danger, the CFA has issued a blunt warning: the time to act is now.

It comes as Australia braces for its strongest El Nino in more than five decades, with a rainfall deficit stretching three years.

CFA District 2 acting operations manager Chris Jacobsen said indications were Victoria would face an earlier than normal fire season.

"Our clear message is that people need to be preparing now," he said.

"At the moment the El Nino is a very strong one and typically that will lead to severe bushfires.

"Anything we can do now to reduce the fuel on the ground can have a huge impact on the effect of fire later on."

A busy three days for the CFA early this month served as a grave reminder of what might lie ahead.

Crews responded to more than 40 scrub and grass fires, as the temperature reached close to 30 degrees in parts of the state from September 11-13.

Mr Jacobsen said residents could significantly reduce the risk of fire by cleaning up around their property and removing fuels such as long grass, weeds, twigs and leaves, including from gutters.

He recommended lawns around homes be kept to less than 10 centimetres to lower the risk of fire.

"There is no substitute for clearing ground fuel and being prepared," Mr Jacobsen said.

"That includes being mentally and physically prepared in the event of fire.

"A bushfire survival plan is essential."

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is in the midst of an extensive planned burn program at several sites across the region, including Bendigo, Chewton, Heathcote, Kingower, Maldon, Maryborough and Whipstick.

Preparations are also well underway in the Macedon Shire Ranges.

To assist property owners, the council will lift burning off restrictions during October for residents living on land less than 4000 square metres (one acre).

Assets and operations director Dale Thornton said the council was doing its bit by prioritising slashing programs on nearly 1700 kilometres of council-managed roadsides, targetting high traffic grasslands and township boundaries.

"We are planning to initially focus on areas in the north and the wast of the shire that are known to dry out the quickest," Mr Thornton said.

"We will monitor regrowth carefully over the fire season."

Council will run a workshop for horse owners next month on how to create a safer environment for equines, including pasture management.

For information on how to prepare for the fire danger season, visit: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/