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Echuca bucks trend on escaped burn-offs

By Ivy Jensen

Sep 24, 2026

Landholders are being urged to register their burn-offs to prevent unnecessary emergency call-outs. Photo contributed Photo by Contributed

Echuca and district landowners are being urged to register their burn-offs as they prepare their property for the fire season.

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While CFA crews have already responded to more than 200 escaped burn-offs across Victoria this year, Echuca has so far bucked the trend.

“We have been particularly lucky around Echuca and surrounds with out-of-control burns,” Echuca CFA captain Dan Moylan said.

“Our farmers in the area have worked well with the local brigades and adhered to the permit restrictions.”

Mr Moylan said most local burn-offs involved farmers, who were generally registering their burns and notifying brigade captains.

Echuca CFA captain Daniel Moylan praised farmers for doing the right thing as properties prepared for fire season. Photo by Steve Huntley

But he warned there was no room for complacency as warmer weather arrived.

Landowners should check weather forecasts for the day of the burn and following days, notify neighbours and postpone burns if high-risk conditions develop.

Mr Moylan said burn-offs should also have at least a 3m mineral earth firebreak, sufficient water available and enough people on hand to control the fire.

Most importantly, never walk away from a burn-off.

Burn-offs should be registered at firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify or on 1800 668 511 if they are due to begin within two hours.

The CFA says registering burns helps prevent unnecessary emergency call-outs and allows 000 operators to focus on genuine emergencies.