This date will be the earliest the fire danger period has been introduced in the municipality since at least 1995 and at least three weeks earlier than usual.

CFA District 22 operations manager Tony Owen said the Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Southern Australia suggested the fire season would start earlier than usual and be more active than normal due to warmer and drier conditions.

“Low winter rainfall across the North East means the grass and bush are dry and the fire potential is further increased,” he said.

“Any rainfall we do experience in spring will produce growth, which could very easily become a high fuel load throughout the summer season if not properly managed.”

He said there was still a short window of opportunity to clean up properties with burn-offs, but only when high winds were not forecast.

All burn-offs should be registered with the VicFire Burn-off notification line on 1800 668 511.