As the Grampians and Wimmera get set for an influx of visitors following the COVID-19 "Ring of Steel" lifting and farmers kick off harvest, the CFA is warning people to take care

"We've had some good rain so there is some good harvest," Commander at Country Fire Authority District 17 headquarters, Wayne Hirth, said.

"There are dry patches and green patches. People just need to be really careful in what they are doing.

"With machinery and harvesting there is a lot of dust in the harvesting of crops and there can be dust build ups that gets close to hot parts of the machinery and basically light fires.

"If there is not continuous maintenance done on the machinery fires can start."

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He said that if a machine operator was working and a fire started and it would be behind them they might not initially see it.

"If it's in a crop it's going to go pretty fast, depending on the weather conditions," he said.

"If it's hot, dry and windy the fire, especially in a crop that's due to be harvested, is going to burn like wildfire."

Mr Hith said that a lot of places in the Wimmera were "quite dry" and fire danger periods had already been introduced in some areas.

"The risk is the same every year," he said

"If you are going to be burning at all just think about what you are lighting up, what your surrounds are, be prepared if something gets out of hand.

"If weather conditions aren't conducive to lighting fires or even cropping then you shouldn't go ahead with it."

Campers heading into the area have also been warned to be take care with open fires.

Twenty-seven per cent of bushfires are caused by escaped private fires, equating to more than 6,100 bushfires over the past ten bushfire season.

With COVID-19 restrictions easing and more people travelling, the CFA has urged Victorians to take care with open fires such as campfires and private burn-offs.

New CFA data showed that of bushfires caused by escaped private fires that brigades responded to between November 1 November and March 31 over the past 10 years:

. 13 per cent were caused by previous fires re-kindling after not being properly extinguished.

. 6 per cent were caused by inadequately controlled fires.

. 4 per cent were caused by high wind.

. 3 per cent escaped after being left unattended.

CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said it was a timely warning to take care when undertaking burn-offs or using campfires and other recreational fires.

"We are expecting to see significant movement across the state this weekend as Victorians travel to catch up with loved ones, visit holiday properties, go camping and enjoy the great outdoors," he said.

"Unfortunately, many bushfires start from escaped campfires and recreational fires. It's vital to know how to properly light and maintain a campfire to make sure it doesn't go bush.

"Before lighting a fire, check fire restrictions and weather conditions - not only the day of your fire but in the following days when a badly extinguished fire can flare up in hot and windy weather."

Home owners in the Wimmera region have also been reminded to continue with clean-ups ahead of summer.

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Commander Hirth said that people should be preparing their property year round.

"Property, if in a bush environment, should be really prepared well in advance of the hot weather that we'll get later in the year," he said

"Have some green grass around your property, don't have bush right up to your house, make sure debris is clear, make sure you have a good water supply, a reliable water supply.

"If you don't think you can stay and defend your property you need to consider leaving early. No good leaving at the last minute - that is when a lot of lives are lost.

"If you are living in a bush environment and you know it's going to be a bad day in a few days time, If you don't feel comfortable defending your home, think about leaving."

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