Mount Alexander Shire Council will enter its fire danger period a month earlier than normal.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council area will enter its fire danger period on Monday November 5.
The fire danger period for Bendigo, Loddon and Campaspe councils began three weeks earlier than normal in mid-October.
CFA District Two operations manager Bill Johnstone attributed the early start to warmer and dryer conditions than normal.
“Low winter rainfall across the North West means the grass and bush are dry,” Bill Johnstone said.
“At the moment, the area sits at just over half of its expected rainfall for the year to date.”
Mr Johnstone urged residents of the shire to check any areas they have burnt anywhere, as a rainfall deficit means ground moisture may not have been enough to fully extinguish the burn.
During the fire danger period a written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds and other vegetation.
Lighting a fire without a permit can attract a penalty of up to $19,000 and or 12 months imprisonment.
Total fire ban declarations mean no fires can be lit in the declared district that day.
More information at: cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/can
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
