Fire

FIRE season for 2009-10 was officially launched this week.
The start of the fire season marks the end of a 100-day countdown designed to raise awareness about being prepared for the bushfire season.
This week’s launch is not related to the declaration of fire danger periods, which vary across the state and are declared in municipalities based on local conditions.
Fires in the open air are restricted throughout the fire danger period.
Extreme caution is necessary throughout this designated period because dry vegetation and hot weather increase the risk of fires accidentally igniting and spreading.
Once declared, fire danger periods are gazetted with the State Government and listed on the cfa.vic.gov.au website.
Some municipalities will introduce fire danger periods from November 1. People are urged to check the website or contact their local council for further information.