By BEN CAMERON
PAKENHAM Fire Brigade captain Phil Craig has urged Cardinia Shire residents to exercise caution when burning off following several fires in the region.
Several trucks were called to a burn off at a residential property on Kooweerup Road in Pakenham South last Wednesday morning.
It came just days after a major fire in Kooweerup on Friday 7 November on the property of the Harewood Historic Homestead.
The CFA reported embers from a burn off the previous day had escaped and caused the fire which burnt into Saturday afternoon.
“If it’s 34 degrees with a 20 kilometre northerly like it was over the weekend, you really shouldn’t be setting fire to anything,” he said.
“Burn offs are happening a lot.
“Residents need to be sensible. The community should also be aware that people could be burning off if they see smoke in the air.”
Mr Craig said residents shouldn’t expect CFA restrictions on burning off to come into effect until the middle of December.
“If you bring it in too early, people lose the ability to clean up,” he said.
He said residents should be well aware of Cardinia Shire Council bylaws when it comes to burning off.
