A lightning strike sparked a blaze in the Lerderderg Gorge this week in a sign that the fire season has begun, authorities say.
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The warning comes as the CFA, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Ballarat City Council met recently to discuss the start of the fire danger period, which begins on Monday.
“We saw a number of lightning fires start across the state last Thursday with storms that moved through, one of which is in the Lerderderg,” Ballarat-based Forest Fire Management Victoria manager Jasmine Filmer said.
“We have crews on it, no issues are anticipated, but it indicates summer is on the way.”
Once the fire danger period has been declared, fire restrictions come into force, meaning Ballarat residents cannot light a fire in the open air without a permit.
