Fire fighting staff are relieved that an uncharacteristically uneventful summer has coincided with COVID-19.
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Country Fire Authority District 16 encompasses Ararat, Stawell, Halls Gap, Pomonal, Willaura, and Beaufort.
District commander Ian Morley said the summer had seen far fewer fires in the region than usual.
"The fire season in District 16 has been relatively quiet," he said.
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"We've had no major fires of any type: grass or scrub, vehicle or structural.
"Grass fires and fires during the harvesting season have been relatively quickly brought under control with limited damage.
"We've had no outside requests of support to any major fire activity anywhere else in the state."
Mr Morley said this had been exceptionally fortuitous due to the added complications caused by COVID-19.
"Obviously the previous fire season was extreme all the way down the southeastern side of Australia," he said.
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"The timing of the pandemic could never be good, but it was certainly helpful that it came when we were heading into early autumn when most of the fire activity had been brought under control.
"It would have been extremely difficult had it been at the height of last fire season, but we would have made the necessary arrangements to overcome any of those issues and continue to meet the community's needs."
Mr Morley said fire fighting staff across District 16 had acquitted themselves well in how they had dealt with the pandemic.
"We're very thankful for the patience and the support we've gotten from our local firefighting personnel," he said.
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"We're very mindful the pandemic is still here and will continue to follow the rules as they are."
There was above average rainfall during the summer, which is expected to help mitigate the first risk during autumn.
But Mr Morley said it was essential people remain vigilant.
"The rainfall that we've had has been very, very welcome, but it is still relatively dry in the grasslands, in farmlands, and the forests, so we're still very mindful that the potential with the fire is still there," he said.
"Hot weather and strong, windy days are still possible, and these are the conditions that will allow fires to run and become large in a reasonably short period.
"So we're asking our brigades and our communities to still be mindful, to have their plans ready, and to ensure they keep up to date with the current information and have the FireReady app on their phones."
"Now there are more people out and about and enjoying the countryside. We ask them to be safe, and be aware of the conditions, particularly around the use of campfires, burning off, and the use of machinery."
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