Grassfires will be a massive risk across the state this summer, and councils are urging residents to stay on top of preparations ahead of the official fire danger period.
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According to the CFA"s chief officer Jason Heffernan, after a wet winter and spring, grassfires are the focus in western Victoria.
"You don't have to travel far down these roads to see significant grass growth," he said.
"The key message is don't be complacent, bushfires can occur at any time and it only takes one bad day to make it a bad summer, as we've all seen in recent years."
The fire danger period in the City of Ballarat and Hepburn, Moorabool, and Golden Plains shires begins on December 13.
Slashing on council properties and roadsides has begun across the district.
Golden Plains Shire has already issued 275 fire prevention notices to landholders, with an initial deadline of Sunday, December 5 - due to the wet weather recently, landholders can request an extension if required.
Second inspections will begin next week, and if works have not been completed, $1817 fines will be issued and contractors organised at an additional cost.
In Hepburn Shire, fire prevention notices will be issued next week, beginning at the most at-risk areas in Clunes and moving towards Trentham.
Chief executive Bradley Thomas said in a statement storm-related timber is still being removed from shire-controlled roadsides, and will be provided as free firewood.
"Satellite telecommunication systems are being installed at identified sites across the Shire as part of the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) Project," he added.
Mr Heffernan said the CFA is working with Forest Fire Management Victoria on the storm timber.
"The timber we saw fall in the recent storms, whilst it's fallen now, it's not quite dry and it will be a year or two before it dries out significantly enough to become a bushfire threat," he said.
"I know there are many people now thinking about working out how to clear that debris ahead of future fire seasons."
Moorabool and Pyrenees shires urged residents to begin cleanups, with "large penalties" threatened for landholders who do not act now.
In Ballarat, more than 3300 letters were sent out in November to remind landholders to prepare properties, and 161 fire prevention notices have already been issued.
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City of Ballarat chief executive Evan King said in a statement council reserves and areas of unused land are also being targeted for slashing.
"Large parcels of our land that have previously had fire mitigation works undertaken are also being monitored for regrowth and will be managed as required," he said.
"The City of Ballarat's Emergency Management staff have been briefed for the upcoming fire season and eight Emergency Relief Centres and five Neighbourhood Safer Places/Place of Last Resort across the municipality have been audited and are ready for use this fire season."
More information is available on the CFA website.
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