Extreme Fire Danger Rating for Saturday 18 March 2023
Published on 17 March 2023
A Total Fire Ban has also been declared for the Surf Coast Shire, so no fires can be lit or remain alight in the open air on Saturday 18 March 2023.
An Extreme Fire Danger Rating is in place for the Surf Coast Shire for Saturday 18 March 2023.
What does this mean?
Fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous. Expect hot, dry and windy conditions.
What shoud I do?
Take action now to protect your life and property.
• Check your bushfire plan and that your property is fire ready.
• If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.
• Reconsider travel through bushfire risk areas.
• Leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option.
What changes to Council services are there?
• Our waste transfer stations and the landfill will closed by 10am on Saturday
• The Lorne, Anglesea and Winchelsea Visitor Information Centres will be closed, but a remote service will be offered by the Torquay Visitor Information Centre, which will remain open.
• Torquay, being an urban area, has a lower risk profile than other areas in the shire so services that are closed elsewhere can continue in Torquay.
Any other info I need to know?
• The conditions mean there is a high risk of falling trees. To report fallen trees on Council land, call 5261 0600. For fallen trees on private property that have caused structural damage to your home or vehicle, or are preventing you from accessing your home, call the SES on 132 500.
• Planned burns by the Victorian Government (DEECA) and CFA-permitted burns on local farms have been occurring in the area recently and may occur today so there may still be smoke around.