LOCAL fire brigades are keeping an eye on forest regrowth and rain forecasts across the Alpine Shire as the seasons change from winter to spring.

Ovens Valley CFA group officer Brett Michie said he’s hopeful there will be good spring rainfall to offset the dry winter seen in the region.

“As people know it’s been a fairly different winter with not much rainfall or snow on the mountains,” he said.

“We’re certainly hoping there’ll be a good spring of rain but the long term forecast isn’t looking too good so the fire season will really depend on how much rain we get between now and the summer period.

“It’s been four years since the major fires in the area so the regrowth in those forested areas has been quite significant.

“We’re also seeing quite dry soil content in our valley so there’s every chance fire season will be upon us sooner rather than later.

“The official forecast for the summer isn’t quite out yet but it’s looking to be average to above average depending on rainfall.”

The Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for spring released last week by the Australian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, forecast a warmer than average season with an average rainfall outlook for the region, which is likely to lead to drier than normal conditions and further increase dead and dry plant material.

Mr Michie said now is a good time to begin fire preparedness on local properties.

“Being early and vigilant now is a good course of action,” he said.

“If we get a significant run of really warm weather and no rain is forecast those conditions will be sooner rather than later.

“Preparing grass fields and lawns and raking leaves out of gutters are all important things.

“Luckily, due to the lack of rain and stock feeding, there’ hasn’t been much grass growth on local properties over winter.

“But if there’s spring rain that grass will take off so make sure to maintain it.

“Also make sure to take notice of when the fire danger period will start, that will be communicated to communities when we know.

“If you’re doing pre-season burning off on your property, let us know through the notification lines and website and follow regulations and council guidelines.”

Local brigades will undertake seasonal mandatory skill training before a pre-season briefing in October ahead of the summer period.

If you are planning on burning off to remove green waste, ensure that this activity complies with your local municipal by-laws and CFA regulations.

Register your burn-off online at Fire Permits Victoria at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au.

The burn-off notification line is 1800 668 511 or notify two hours prior to your burn at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au/.

Visit the CFA website to learn how you can prepare ahead of this bushfire season at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/prepare.

Keep up to date with the Fire Danger Ratings on the VicEmergency app and VicEmergency website.

Forest fire authority preparing for summer

FOREST Fire Management Victoria is already preparing for the warmer months.

Last financial year the Ovens Fire District successfully completed 29 planned burns treating an area of 24,000 hectares.

Strategic fire access roads and tracks, and more than 160 kilometres of strategic fuel breaks, have been maintained in readiness for the peak bushfire period.

FFRVic district manager Ovens, Jarrod Hayse, said bushfire season will likely be early, particularly in the far west and south-west of Victoria.

“‘Normal’ bushfire risk is forecast elsewhere around the state, but areas dominated by drier forests, woodlands or heathlands may still experience an early start to the fire season,” he said.

“Hot, dry, and windy weather can pose a risk for these areas. 

“We will continue to monitor these conditions as we look ahead to summer.

“Forest Fire Management Victoria continues to work with its emergency sector partners to manage risk, respond to bushfires, and keep communities informed about how to best prepare for bushfires.” 

FFMV expects to have a team of close to 1800 frontline personnel and 1200 accredited incident management staff this bushfire season, which includes staff in Bright, Ovens and Mount Beauty.