The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will be extended in parts of Victoria including Towong Shire for the first time since 2019, as unseasonably dry conditions continue to elevate fire risk.

A lack of rainfall has left vegetation in the state’s South West and parts of the North East susceptible to fire ignition, with some areas as dry as they were during the devastating 1982/83 fire season.

Fire restrictions will be extended in the Towong Shire until 26 May.

CFA Chief Officer, Jason Heffernan, said the decision to extend restrictions was necessary to while dry conditions persisted.

“We know people look forward to the end of the fire season but in some areas it’s still too risky to lift restrictions,” he said.

“While cooler days are arriving, the landscape remains dry enough to allow fires to start and spread quickly if a burn-off gets out of control.”

Residents in affected areas are reminded that burning off remains prohibited unless a valid permit is obtained.

Since 1 April, CFA has responded to 127 preventable vegetation fires across Victoria with more than half (53 per cent) caused by escaped burn-offs. Other significant causes included bonfires, campfires, fire pits and fireworks.

“Escaped burn-offs continued to cause significant concern,” CO Heffernan said.

“What we want to avoid is preventable fires caused by complacency or misunderstanding.

“Escaped burns tie up our resources and present a real danger to both the community and our volunteers.”

He also urged land-owners to help reduce unnecessary callouts, by registering their burn-offs.

“We’re asking all landowners to register their burn-offs online,” he added.

“Registering helps prevent false alarms that divert resources from genuine emergencies.”

Under the CFA Act, penalties for lighting an open-air fire without a permit during the Fire Danger Period can include fines of up to $23,710, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both.

Landowners can apply for a permit to burn off at firepermits.vic.gov.au.

Burn off safety checklist:

• Obtain a permit if required.
• Check and monitor weather conditions – particularly wind.
• Postpone your activity if high fire risk conditions develop.
• Notify your neighbours if the burn will generate fire and smoke.
• Leave a three-metre fire break, free from flammable materials around the burn.
• Ensure you have enough water on hand (10 litres for small fires).
• Ensure there are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn effectively and never leave a burn-off unattended – stay for its duration.

This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 1 May 2025.