Tomorrow, Sunday 3 February has been declared a day of TOTAL FIRE BAN for all of Victoria.
No fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air from 12.01am on Sunday, 3 February until 11.59pm Monday, 4 January.
Tractors, chainsaws, grinders, mowers or any equipment that may generate sparks should only be used if absolutely necessary.
CFA chief officer Steve Warrington said hot, dry and windy conditions meant Sunday could see major fires.
“We already have significant fires in the landscape, and any additional fires that start tomorrow could be difficult to control,” he said.
Campfires and solid and liquid fuel barbeques and ovens are banned on Total Fire Ban days.
Barbeques fired by gas or electricity are permitted as long as the appliance and fire prevention measures comply as below:
The appliance is –
- a permanently fixed structure built of stone, metal, concrete or another non-flammable material designed exclusively for meal preparation, or
- designed and commercially manufactured exclusively for meal preparation (including portable barbecues), and when alight is placed in a stable position.
The fire prevention measures are –
- the area within a distance of 3 metres from the outer perimeter of the barbecue is clear of flammable material
- you have either a hose connected to a water supply or a vessel with at least 10 litres of water for immediate use
- an adult is there at all times when the fire is alight who has the capacity and means to extinguish the fire
- the fire is completely extinguished before the adult leaves.
For more information on what you can and can’t do visit the Can I or Can’t I page on the CFA website.
Victorians should also make sure they have access to more than one source of information, including:
- ABC Local Radio 774AM ABC Melbourne, 97.7FM ABC Goulburn-Murray;
- Community Radio UGFM 94.5FM Kinglake Ranges, 98.9FM Flowerdale/Hazeldene, 98.5FM Marysville/Lake Mountain, 88.9FM Yea and Highlands and 106.9FM Alexandra.
- Television ABC News 24 or Sky News;
- VicEmergency App for iOs and Android smartphones/tablets;
- VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au;
- VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 and/or the CFA or;
- VicEmergency on Twitter or Facebook;
- Tune radio scanners to 164.000MHz NFM (Police, Kinglake to Wodonga) and CFA Region 12, 13 and 14 frequencies as assigned.
