General News
7 February, 2026
Surge in fire prevention notices
PYRENEES Shire Council has confirmed it has issued more Fire Prevention Notices this season than in previous years. Council CEO Jim Nolan told the Advocate this week that 627 notices have been issued to date which he said us a “significant increase” on previous years.
Mr Nolan said the rise was attributed to the unusual late spring and early summer conditions which resulted in a sudden and large amount of growth on properties.
“While most people have responded well and prepared their properties, we would ask all residents who have received a fire prevention notice to make sure they tend to their properties if they haven’t already done so to help ensure the safety of all our communities,” he said.
Properties with long uncut grass, which are deemed to be a high fire risk to both themselves or their immediate neighbours, are issued with a Fire Prevention Notice from council instructing them to carry out certain works to reduce the risk in the lead up to the Fire Danger Period.
Land owners are required to keep their properties cut to a maximum height of 300 millimetres during the non-fire season and then to a maximum height of 100 millimetres during the fire danger period.
As a result of inspections by council, land owners of any properties where grass growth has reached more than 100 millimetres may be issued with a Fire Prevention Notice.
Mr Nolan also said the volatile weather conditions had similarly caused increased roadside growth.
“We have to get the timing of our road slashing program just right and the weather conditions made that quite difficult this year and created a lot more growth than usual,” Mr Nolan said.
He said most of the 800 kilometres of roadsides in Pyrenees Shire were now slashed, with contractors on standby for ideal weather conditions to carry out the rest of the slashing.