Agricultural burn permits

Country Fire Authority officials have moved to ease concerns of a fire emergency, as permitted burn-offs begin on rural properties across the region.

District 17 commander Lindsay Barry said people might begin to see smoke as the authority starts to issue ‘schedule-13’ permits to people working in the agriculture industry for the burning of fine fuel including grass, stubble and weeds.

A ‘schedule-13’ permit may be issued to an individual, only where there is an essential need to burn during a fire danger period, for example farming purposes.

“I have cherished my time working with him and I am pleased to see his hard work recognised with this award.”

The Harm van Rees award was first awarded in 2007 to no-till farming pioneer Allen Postlethwaite.

Subsequent recipients have been oilseed expert Steve Marcroft, Mallee agronomist Rob Sonogan and the late Tony Rathjen, who was responsible for creating the popular wheat varieties Frame and Yitpi.

Mr Barry said the authority would work with an area’s ‘group officer’ to determine requirements of a permit – including the size of the burn-off and fire breaks, the number of people required to attend and monitor a burn-off and the volume of water required on-hand. Wind speed, temperature and time of day are also considered.

Conditions of a permit can change from year to year.

Mr Barry said people could expect a response to a permit application within days.

The fire danger period remains in place until early May.

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