FIREFIGHTERS expect better opportunities than normal to reduce fuel across central Victoria this autumn, after a mild fire season to date.
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Thousands of hectares worth of burns are planned for the Murray Goldfields region in the coming months.
Country Fire Authority Community Safety north west region manager David Allen said a relatively quiet fire season to date meant fewer extreme days, so more opportunities to reduce fuel loads.
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Controlled burns have already begun in the south of district two, including in the Macedon Ranges, Mr Allen said.
Mr Allen said the timing of burns purely depended on the weather, but would likely take place during March and April in Greater Bendigo.
He said the mild conditions meant crews could be more confident and safer than during a run of hot days.
"When there's ... not as many extreme days, the milder conditions give a better opportunity to reduce fuel," Mr Allen said.
But Mr Allen said too much rain could prevent burning, as the grass would be too green.
He said the CFA worked with several agencies as for fuel reduction across public land, under a joint process.
These include Forest Fire Management Victoria and local councils.
FFMVic Loddon Mallee deputy chief fire officer Scott Falconer said more than 30 planned burns, across more than 4,700 hectares were planned in the Murray Goldfields district over the coming months.
Mr Falconer said cooler weather in autumn and spring generally meant these were the most suitable periods to do planned burning.
He said planned burns were also scheduled near Maiden Gully, Bendigo, Eppalock, Chewton, Campbells Creek, Castlemaine, Newstead, Costerfield, Heathcote and Inglewood, among other locations.
Despite the mild conditions Mr Allen urged the community to continue to take care about fire safety.
He said anyone camping or on holidays should remember to take appropriate precautions, as well as checking fire danger.
"While the weather conditions have been mild, there are still potential risks out there," Mr Allen said.
Mr Allen said mild conditions might mean the fire danger period lifted earlier than normal for Greater Bendigo, but the decision was yet to be made.
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