Fire danger period ending in Mount Alexander Shire

The Fire Danger Period will end in Mount Alexander Shire on Monday, April 8, at 1am.
Fire Danger Periods are based on local conditions and take into account fuel moistures, fuel loads, grassland curing, weather and rainfall. They are a seasonal declaration.
Although the fire danger period is ending, it is important that the community take extreme care when burning off. If a fire is left unattended in windy conditions it can spread quickly and can burn into bushland or onto neighbours' properties.
Residents are urged to check local by-laws before burning-off and never leave a burn-off unattended. Advise your neighbours and call the Vicfire Burn Off Line. Also check the weather forecast before you burn-off - never burn-off in dry, hot, windy conditions.
Meanwhile, emergency services community training demonstration events are taking place across the shire over the next two months.
The 'Ready? Get Ready' events will include a community lunch and local CFA, SES, Police, Parks Victoria, DSE, Red Cross and other community emergency support services will present informative and engaging hands-on training demonstrations to help residents make informed decisions about how to survive a bushfire and prepare for other hazards and emergencies.
At the gatherings, residents will learn about fire behaviour, communication, reducing bushfire risk and managing evacuations and preparedness, as well as understanding the risks of stress on families and the importance of community and neighbourhood connections.
"Getting to know your neighbours is a way of people being able to support each other," said Mayor Michael Redden.
"This can include helping each other fill out a Bushfire Leaving Early Plan, or to simply build networks of support for yourself and your family.
"For example in Mount Alexander Shire we know there are five target areas that are of extreme bushfire risk, therefore local residents and visitors should be prepared for fire, have a plan for when the Fire Danger Rating is Severe, Extreme or Code Red and know what to do in the event of any emergency."
The five extreme bushfire risk areas are Chewton, Castlemaine West, Castlemaine North, Campbells Creek West and Fryerstown.
The events will take place at:
Chewton: Sunday, April 14 at 10.30am, at Chewton CFA Fire Station and Senior Citizens Hall in Mount St, Chewton.
Castlemaine West: Sunday, April 21 at 10.30am, at West End Hall, View St, Castlemaine.
Campbells Creek: Sunday, May 19 at 10.30am, at Campbells Creek Community Centre.
Castlemaine North: Sunday, May 26 at 10.30am, at Castlemaine Fire Station.
Fryerstown: To be announced.