Greater Bendigo will exit its fire danger period on Monday April 12, at 1am.

Country Fire Authority District Two commander Darren Eenjes said 2020-21 had been a quiet fire season, without the extremes of hot weather drying out grassland.

Other news:

Mr Eenjes named fires at Graytown, Kyneton and Moliagul as the major outbreaks of the season.

He said most other incidents had been small grass and scrub fires, within one hectare in size.

Mr Eenjes said despite the quiet season, the CFA was still working with Forest Fire Management Victoria on fuel reduction burns to catch the window of opportunity.

He said the quiet season meant CFA brigades had time to refresh and recoup after after the 2019-020 season, so they were ready for the winter.

Mr Eenjes said District Two was well placed to go into the next fire danger period, but was focusing now on making sure communities were safe during the colder months.

He urged central Victorians to make sure they checked items such as heaters and electric blankets were functioning properly before use.

Mr Eenjes urged people to have their gas flues checked by a qualified plumber and gas fitter.

He warned the consequences of malfunctioning equipment could range from a scorch, to a fire that destroyed a home, or even took lives.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said autumn and winter were the highest risk periods for residential fires in Victortia, in part due to increased use of home heating.

Mr Heffernan reminded people to never leave portable heaters and fireplaces unattended, and to turn heaters off before leaving a room.

He said many residential fires that caused death or serious injury started in lounge and sleeping areas.

Mr Heffernan said people should check their heaters were in good working condition, and gas heaters should be professionally serviced every two years.

He warned that poorly maintained gas fires could also cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

More information about preventing fires in the home is available on the CFA website at: bit.ly/2PLfU5u

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: