Be fire ready
Township Protection Plans
Community Meetings
Community Fire Guard
Fuelbreak slashing information sheet
Fire fact sheet
Fine fuels such as long dry grass, fallen leaves and twigs are the main fire hazards around your house. Anything smaller in diameter than your little finger is classified as a fine fuel. Report any fire risk concerns either on public or private property to us on 5434 6000.
For more hints and tips visit the CFA website
We are committed to protecting the Greater Bendigo community before the fire season commences. Our fire prevention program encompasses the entire municipality including reserves, playgrounds, walking and cycling tracks as well as many other areas. The implementation of our protection program will begin at the end of spring when grasses begin to dry out and include tree maintenance, spraying and grading. It's important that work to clear grasses does not commence until after they start to dry out otherwise the grasses regrow and the risk of fire returns. In 2011, we will be distributing more than 10,000 courtesy letters to educate the community about being fire ready and reminding property owners to remove fire hazards. We undertake an inspection program to identify areas needing attention. We also use reports from residents alerting us to any hazards.
To report a fire hazard please call 5434 6000 or email us.
Burning off of household and other wastes and the use of backyard incinerators are all banned. Residents cannot use incinerators to burn any of the following in the open air:
Burning these materials causes air particles, which have an adverse effect on health, especially breathing difficulties like asthma. Properties greater than one hectare in size do not require a permit to light open air fires to reduce excess, dry, solid fuel for fire reduction purposes. On properties less than one hectare in size, a written permit is required before an open air fire is allowed. If you are burning off, make sure that 10 litres of water or a working hose is readily available and that an adult is supervising the fire at all times. Outdoor fires should never be lit in high winds and are prohibited during a total fire ban. The fire must also be located five metres away from any building or boundary and a clear radius of three metres from any flammable material. For more information visit the Local Law section of our website. For permission to burn off on alternative days please contact our Local Law Enforcement Unit on 5434 6000.
Fires in the open air are restricted during summer as soon as the Fire Danger Period is proclaimed.
To light a fire in the open air for burning you must obtain a written permit from the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer and comply with all conditions and precautions.
On days of Declared Total Fire Ban no solid fuel fires are permitted.
Total Fire Bans are declared only on days where the danger of fires occurring is extremely high and when fire would be expected to develop rapidly and to be extremely difficult to control. Safety tip - at all times, during the fire restricted period check with Municipal Fire Prevention staff or the CFA before you burn.
Throughout the country areas of Victoria, a Municipal Fire Prevention Committee (MFPC) is established in each municipality under the provisions of the Country Fire Authority Act.
This body has a statutory duty to prepare and maintain a Municipal Fire Prevention Plan and coordinate and recommend to appropriate authorities actions for:
Fire Ready Victoria meetings are coordinated by CFA in conjunction with local Brigades and Municipalities. Attend a community meeting to learn about the bushfire risk in your area and how you and your community can turn this awareness into action.
These meetings are a fantastic way for people to get information on how to prepare your property, how to make a fire plan and how to survive. The format has changed this year to more personalised approach with opportunity for questions and answers to target messages to the communities needs.
A council representative will attend the meetings to answer questions and provide an opportunity for people to contribute to the Municipal Fire Management Plan review.
Bush and grass fires are extremely dangerous but if residents take responsibility for their bushfire safety and prepare themselves, they can reduce their risk and make some choices about whether they would prefer not to be in a high risk area on a high fire danger day.
PREPARE, ACT, SURVIVE.
Visit the the CFA website for further information and meeting dates.
Visit the CFA website
Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line 1800 240 667
Listen to radio ABC - 91.1 FM or 774 AM
Please enter the code from the image