EMERGENCY services are responding to two fires this afternoon near Beaufort and Elmhurst.
The first occurred on Nuggety Lane, north of Beaufort about 1.38pm.
CFA District 16 duty officer Neville Collins said the fire was caused by a burn-off.
Tankers from Beaufort and Forest Fire Management Victoria attended the scene, bringing it under control within an hour.
The CFA was notified of a second fire just 20 minutes later at 1.57pm, at the corner of Elmhurst-Glenpatrick Road and Sandy Lane, Elmhurst.
Mr Collins said this was also caused by a burn-off.
"It's been in the paddock and then got out onto the side of the road and up into some trees," he said.
The second fire was also under control within an hour.
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"People need to be mindful that when they are doing burn offs they shouldn't be exceeding the speed limit on the wind," Mr Collins said.
"This morning at lunchtime it was up quite a bit. I thought it was up at 15 kilometres per hour and that's outsdie the parameters of a burn-off.
"People have got to follow the instructions as per the CFA website - they can't just burn off willy nilly. And they've got to be in attendance the whole time."
Mr Collins also said people needed to register their burn-offs.
The CFA lists the following rules in regards to conducting burn-offs:
- Check and follow local regulations or laws set down by CFA or your local council
- Notify neighbours at least two hours before starting the burn
- Notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) on 1800 668 511
- Check the weather forecast for the day of the burn and a few days afterwards
- Check the fuel moisture conditions
- Establish a fire break of no less than three metres cleared of all flammable material
- Make sure there are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively.
Vic Emergency advises residents may still be able to see smoke from both fires.
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