As summer and a predicted challenging fire season approaches, Victorians are urged to have a fire plan and know where to get emergency information from.

Two significant fires have already taken place in the Wimmera and Otways this Spring, and the summer seasonal outlook shows there is an increased fire risk for most of the west, southwest, northeast, Greater Melbourne and southwestern parts of Gippsland, including the Mornington Peninsula.

In the west and southwest of Victoria there has been limited rainfall for the last 18 months that has resulted in a substantial amount of dead and dry plant material within forests, making it easier for fires to start and spread.

Grasslands in the areas with a heightened risk have superficial green on top that conceals underlying dryness, meaning grassland curing is likely to start earlier than normal. In the other parts of Victoria, the fire risk is expected to be normal, although these areas will continue to be monitored to identify any significant changes to fire risk.

Fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and the community, with residents in high-risk areas encouraged to take simple actions to prepare their family and property as the weather begins to warm.

On hot, dry, windy days, fires can start and spread quickly. If the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early before a fire has started is the safest option.
Never wait for an official warning before you leave, as you may not get one. Fires can start quickly and threaten homes and lives within minutes. Make sure you have a plan.

If you wait and decide to leave after a fire has started, you risk driving your family through thick smoke, fallen trees and power lines, and face the danger of collisions, being trapped by fire, serious injury or death.

Stay informed by downloading the VicEmergency app to stay across incidents and fire danger ratings in your area.
- Jason Heffernan, CFA Chief Officer
CFA is also urging Victorians to take extra care this summer after vegetation fires jumped more than 50 per cent during the 2023/24 Fire Danger Period (FDP).

Between October 1 2023, and April 1 2024, CFA responded to 2145 vegetation fires, including grass, bush and farmland across Victoria, compared to 1415 incidents in 2022/23.

This increase was accompanied by a 21% rise in fire investigations, revealing that many incidents were caused by avoidable factors.

Of the 449 incidents, 21% were caused by escaped burn-offs, 9% by campfires, 8% were deemed suspicious and 5% were linked to machinery fires.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said reducing fire risk this season is critical given the summer outlook for a hot and dry season ahead.

This warning comes as parts of Victoria face an increased fire risk this summer—including the west, southwest, northeast, southwest Gippsland including the Mornington Peninsula and Greater Melbourne.
“Many of the incidents we investigated—such as escaped burn-offs and machinery-related fires—were preventable with proper preparation and compliance with fire safety regulations,

“Fires on Total Fire Ban days remained a major concern during the last FDP, with 449 incidents
recorded.”

“Total Fire Ban days are declared to minimise the risk of fires starting and spreading, so it’s critical we see fewer avoidable incidents on these days,

“Simple precautions like adhering to restrictions, planning ahead, and ensuring equipment is safe can help protect lives and property on these dangerous days.

“We’re urging all Victorians to plan ahead, maintain their properties, and adhere to fire restrictions to help reduce the risk and protect our communities this season,” Jason said.

“Always check fire danger ratings, make sure your machinery is in good working condition, and clear vegetation around your property to reduce the risk of fire spreading.

“Together, we can make a real difference this season and help protect what matters most.”
- Jason Heffernan, CFA Chief Officer