Government and Emergency Services organisations are preparing for the upcoming fire season and Fire Danger Period (FDP).

The FDP will begin at 1:00 am on Monday, November 25. During the FDP, permits are required for any burning off. Campfires are permitted when winds are low (Below 10 kph) and fires are contained in a properly constructed fireplace. For more informationon what you may and may not do, see the CFA warnings and restrictions page.

Council, the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Transport Victoria, will be working together to mitigate bushfire risks and ensure all preventative measures are taken to manage the safety of the region and community.

Local volunteer CFA services have beefed up their fire fighting resources with funding from hte state government Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants. Franklinford CFA received $2,340 for a thermal imaging camera. Porcupine Ridge CFA received $125,000 for station extensions.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, thanked volunteer groups for their tireless work across the community. “The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program is an important annual program providing a critical boost to local volunteers, ensuring their equipment and facilities are up to date,” she said.

Council works include the roadside slashing program, weed control and fire inspections. The annual roadside slashing program runs from November to December and aims to maintain grass along road edges, mainly to ensure clear sight lines on sealed roads outside township areas. The program includes the slashing of over 550 kilometres of roadsides and will be commencing in the Campbelltown area working towards Creswick and Clunes and near Franklinford moving back from Drummond. The approach focuses on areas where the grass dries earlier.

Council is once again offering residents the opportunity to drop off their green waste for free at Transfer Stations during November. Residents need to provide proof of residency and take care not to bring in noxious weeds as they cannot be accepted.

Bradley Thomas, Hepburn Shire Council CEO, said that if we can work together now to prepare for the warmer months, we will be doing our best to minimise the threat of bushfires in the region.

“Our Shire is at high risk of bushfires and grassfires during summer, and we all can act now to prepare and help reduce the threat and impact of fire,” said Mr Thomas.

Property owners ae urged to start preparing their properties for possible bushfires. Residents are encouraged to reduce fire hazards by slashing grass, bracken and weeds, especially around buildings and fences. Undergrowth, fallen branches, and tree cuttings should be removed, and tree branches and shrubs should be pruned.

The CFA is running a Bushfire Planning Workshop on Monday November 18 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Trentham Fire Station, 25 Marker St, Trentham. A hypothetical bushfire scenario will be held at the Glenlyon Fire Station on Tuesday November 19 from 6:30-8:30pm. Watch social media pages for announcements of other bushfire preparation events.

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This article is based on media releases from Hepburn Shire Council and the Office of Mary-Anne Thompas MP.