Fire

A well prepared home will help reduce the risk of a fire. And if one should one happen, have the best chance of survival.

Protecting your home against bushfires

One of the best ways to prepare your property for fire season is removing fuel and vegetation.  This is really important for residential homes, and commercial and industrial allotments. Find out how to best prepare your home.

If you live in an area prone to bush or grassfires, you should have a Bushfire Survival Plan. Your plan should include detail the risk posed by fire to your property and information on leaving early on days of high fire danger. CFA provide advice on developing a suitable Bushfire Survival Plan.

Avoiding fires in your home

There are over 3,000 house fires each year in Victoria and they are almost all preventable. Working smoke alarms, checking appliances for damage and wear, and ensuring fire places are well maintained can help to protect your home from fire.  Find out how to prevent fire in your home.

Your obligations

Our Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO) conducts inspections across the townships of Wangaratta, including Glenrowan, Whitfield and Eldorado.  It is your responsibility to ensure that your property is fire ready. If a fire hazard is identified, you will receive a Fire Prevention Notice outlining what you need to do to make it fire safe. Your property will be re-inspected to ensure the fire hazard has been removed.  

If you do not comply, you may be fined and pay any costs we incur for works such as slashing or vegetation removal.  The minimum penalty for non-compliance is over $1,000.

Permit to burn

The Rural City of Wangaratta has annual restrictions on burning off and you will be required to get a burning off permit.

Travel Permits for Fire Prevention

Victorians who need to travel to carry out summer fire preparation activities can apply for permission to travel to a property within Rural City of Wangaratta to undertake fire and emergency preparedness activities. Please apply for permission to travel via the emergency preparedness form.
Apply Here

Neighbourhood Safer Places

We have identified four Neighbourhood Safer Places which can be used as a place of last resort when other plans have failed or cannot be followed. However no place can be guaranteed as safe during a bushfire. 

  • Cheshunt Hall - Cnr King Valley Road and Upper King Valley Road, Cheshunt 3678
  • Eldorado Memorial Hall - Main Street (opposite McKoy Street), Eldorado 3746
  • Glenrowan Recreation Reserve Community Centre - Daniel Lane, Glenrowan 3675
  • Whitfield Recreation Reserve Sports Pavilion - Mansfield - Whitfield Road, Whitfield 3733