The time has come to prepare for the upcoming fire season, CFA district two acting assistant chief fire officer Chris Jacobsen said.
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Despite the seasonal outlook for Bendigo predicting above average rainfall, Mr Jacobsen said the community must remain alert and have a personalised fire plan.
"With extra rain, people will notice significant grass growth and that means we will most likely have a grass fire dominated season," Mr Jacobsen said.
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"That is why we are asking people to keep grasses around their property and assets low all summer."
Bendigo has not entered its fire danger period yet, but northern Victorian councils, including Gannawarra Shire have.
A fire plan is essential for every household, given the challenges posed by major fires.
"The plan has to be specific to what you and your family do in case of fire," Mr Jacobsen said.
"Actions people should take include pruning back trees, keeping grass around your house mowed and clearing up ground fuels such as grasses and leaves."
Clearing gutters and removing plants or garden beds located near doors and windows, which could become a source for embers to land are some other maintenance measures Mr Jacobsen recommends.
"It is critical to check your house and contents insurance to ensure sufficient coverage to replace these in the event of a fire," Mr Jacobsen said.
The reminder for undertake fire preparedness measures comes in the midst of Fire Action Week.
Fire and rescue agencies have started their preparation under a COVIDSafe plan this year to ensure burns and fuel reduction activity can be conducted safely.
In the lead-up to summer, CFA brigades around the state will be running Fire Safety Essentials online sessions to help you understand and prepare for fire risk.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville said Fire Action Week is a time to increase your understanding of the fire risk where you live and prepare your property.
"Our emergency management services have started their preparations, so now it's up to all Victorians to understand their local fire risk and develop a fire plan," Ms Neville said.
From midnight on Wednesday, residents in metropolitan Melbourne will be able to undertake fire preparedness activities at second properties in regional Victoria, by obtaining written approval from the council their property is located in.
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Mr Jacobsen said the CFA doesn't encourage travel to regional areas and instead recommends the use of local contractors or businesses to prepare properties that require maintenance.
"If you live in Melbourne and have a second property in regional areas, you can only travel to that property for preparedness as a last resort and if you have been issued a clean up notice by local council or applied and received approval," Mr Jacobsen said.
Local councils will continue to issue Fire Prevention Notices where it is deemed necessary to place an obligation on property owners.
Residents issued with such notices are legally bound to oblige and can travel to their property to clean it up.
For a list of activities and online sessions during Fire Action Week, click here.
To learn more about Fire Safety Essentials sessions, visit the CFA website.