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The Fire Danger Period is declared by the CFA - generally December to the end of April.
Fires in the open air are restricted during the Fire Danger Period. Further information is available in the Can I or Can't I? brochure.
To light a fire for broad acre fuel reduction during the Fire Danger Period, a permit is required from the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer. These permits are not generally approved, but are considered on their merits towards the end of the Fire Danger Period (March/April).
The City of Greater Bendigo is in the Northern Country District.
Total fire bans are declared on days where the weather forecast indicates that any fire that starts would be expected to develop rapidly and be very difficult to control.
Total Fire Ban days are generally declared when the fire danger rating is severe or above (as advised through the media).
Read our Fire Fact Sheet for more information.
Find answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.
State forests, National, State and Regional parks and protected public lands have fuel restrictions in force all year round. For advice on these areas, contact the local DSE or Parks Victoria offices.
Local Law No 3 prohibits burning off of household and other wastes, and the use of backyard incinerators are all banned. You cannot 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 (Local Law 3). 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.
If you have a property less than 1 hectare in size, you can no longer light an open air fire to burn dry, solid fuel without a written permit from the City of Greater Bendigo. There are no fees associated with the permit. Download our Application for Open Air Burning Permit or read our Open Air Burning Fact Sheet. Contact our Local Laws Unit on 5434 6333 for any further information.
You are also required to advise Vicfire of your burn off on 1800 668 511.
Throughout the country areas of Victoria, a Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee (MFMPC) 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 Management Plan (MFMP) and coordinate and recommend to appropriate authorities actions for:
The Municipal Fire Management Plan has been endorsed by the City of Greater Bendigo Council and is now available for download.
We are committed to protecting the Greater Bendigo community before the fire season commences. Our fire management program encompasses the entire municipality including reserves, playgrounds, walking and cycling tracks as well as many other areas.
The implementation of our management program begins at the end of spring when grasses begin to dry out and include tree maintenance, spraying and grading.
Slashing and mowing should commence before the grass gets too long and may need further cuts to maintain a fire hazard managed level of approximately 100 mm.
In 2012, we distributed more than 1,600 Reminder Letters to educate the community about being fire ready and reminding property owners to remove fire hazards.
We undertake extensive inspection programs to identify areas needing attention. We also follow up on reports from residents alerting us to any fire hazards.
For further information read the Fuelbreak slashing information sheet.
Fine fuels such as long dry grass, fallen leaves and twigs are the main fire hazards around your home. Anything smaller in diameter than your little finger is classified as fine fuel.
Report any fire hazard concerns to us on 5434 6000.
Report any DSE fire hazard to their Fire Hazard hotline on 5430 4491
For more hints and tips visit the CFA website
Fire Ready Victoria meetings are coordinated by the 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.
The meetings are a fantastic way for you 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 a 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 you to contribute to the Municipal Fire Management Plan review.
Bush and grass fires are extremely dangerous but if you take responsibility for your bushfire safety and prepare yourself, you can reduce your risk and make some choices about whether you would prefer not to be in a high risk area on a high fire danger day.
A list of all Neighbourhood Safer Places within the Greater Bendigo region can be found in the Fire Fact Sheet.
Visit the CFA website
Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line 1800 240 667
Listen to radio ABC - 91.1 FM or 774 AM
The Community Information Guide can help you Prepare, Act, Survive.
Have a written Bushfire Survival Plan, review it annually and practice it.
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Updated: 12:57 PM, 19 April 2013