Baw Baw’s FIRE DANGER PERIOD declared
 Baw Baw News   By // 11:33, Tuesday 28 November 2017

Baw Baw’s Fire Danger Period and Seasonal Prohibited Period for 2017/18 have been declared.

From 4 December 2017 until 1 May 2018 residents must abide by fire season rules and restrictions unless stated otherwise.

According to the Country Fire Authority, the organisation which determines when Fire Danger Periods are, restrictions mean “you cannot light a fire in the open air unless you have a permit or comply with certain requirements.”


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“If you don’t obtain a permit, you could be breaking the law and may be prosecuted.”

Activities affected by the restrictions include burning off, outdoor barbecues and campfires, commercial catering, lawn mowing, chainsaw usage, farm machinery operation, and more.

A helpful list of things you can and cannot do during the Fire Danger Period can be found on the CFA website.

On top of the period’s restrictions, total fire ban days can also be declared when fires are “likely to spread rapidly and be difficult to control.”


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People living or working within 1.5km of some state and national parks and other protected public land also have to abide by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning’s Seasonal Prohibited Period rules.

Those restrictions see state and national park rules and permit requirements applied to that neighbouring land. Click here for more details.

“Residents are required to contact the CFA for a permit to burn in open air, unless they live within 1.5 kilometres of public land, where an authority (permit) to burn is required which can be obtained from a local DELWP office,” a Baw Baw Shire Council spokesperson said in a media release.

Baw Baw mayor Joe Gauci added “if in doubt, do not light a fire.”

“To find out what restrictions apply to your property or where permits may be necessary, contact your local CFA or DELWP office who (sic) will be able to provide clarification.”

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