Callignee and Traralgon South Emergency Committee

01/06/2026

25/04/2026

The VicEmergency app and website are powerful tools to help keep you and your family safe but do you know how to use them to their full potential?

We have tutorials and troubleshooting guides that can help you - https://support.emergency.vic.gov.au/hc/en-gb/categories/203637608-VicEmergency-app

If you need more detailed support, then please reach out to us directly - http://support.emergency.vic.gov.au/

12/04/2026

Its not a message from our district but very good suggestions to follow. Today is pretty wet but it can still dry off quickly.

With so much cleanup work happening across our region—from fire recovery around Longwood to general seasonal maintenance—many of us are looking to clear piles of fallen or felled trees and leaf litter now that fire restrictions have lifted. While a burn-off is a great way to get on top of the debris, it’s a task that still requires plenty of caution.

Even though we’ve seen some rain across the region recently, it’s easy to get a false sense of security. It doesn't take much—just a bit of sun and a steady breeze—to dry out the top layer of fuel enough for a simple pile burn to become an escaped fire that can quickly threaten property.

If you’re planning to light up, let’s keep things controlled and neighborly with a few simple steps:

📝 1. Register Before You Ignite
This is the big one. When people see smoke, they naturally call 000. If your burn isn't on the system, our local volunteers get paged away from their work and families to investigate what turns out to be a controlled fire.

💻 Register online: firepermits.vic.gov.au
📞 Register by phone: 1800 668 511
🏘️ Check Local Laws: Remember to check with your local council for any specific bylaws or "no burn" days in your area.

🪵 2. Setting Up for Success
💨 Watch the Wind: Wind is the number one cause of escaped burns. If the breeze is picking up or the forecast looks gusty, it’s better to wait for a calmer day.
🚜 Clear a Break: Give yourself a safety net. Clear at least 3 meters of bare earth all the way around your pile to stop the fire from creeping into the surrounding grass.
💧 Have Water Ready: Don't wait until things look "dicey" to find your hose. Have your pump, tank, or knapsack tested and sitting right next to you before you strike the match.

👨‍🚒 3. Stay Until It's Out
Most escapes happen when a fire is left "just for a minute." A fire is only considered supervised if you are physically there with the equipment to put it out. These piles—especially heavy timber—can hold heat deep in the center for days. Once you're done, give it a good stir with a tractor or rake and douse it until it's cool to the touch.

How is the cleanup going on your end? If you have any questions or need a bit of advice on safely managing a burnoff, drop a comment below or you can try reach out to your local CFA brigade.

Stay safe and look out for one another!

05/04/2026

Don't forget to check your smoke alarms this daylight saving 🐇 for more information head to CFA News & Media via the link in our bio.

26/02/2026

The forecast for autumn is for increased fire risk. With the recent rains and dry weather your gutters may have a lot of leaves and twigs even though you cleaned at the beginning of summer. You might like to check them out sooner rather than later!

26/02/2026

Join us today at 11:30am for a livestreamed media conference on the release of the AFAC News Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Autumn.

Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1583208796234157

The following people will speak on what it means for Victoria:
-Deputy Emergency Management Commissioner, Brett Boatman
-Acting Chief Officer CFA (Country Fire Authority), Alen Slijepcevic
-Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Director Bushfire and Emergency Forest Fire Management Victoria, Fiona Dunstan
-Deputy Commissioner Operations Central, South and East Fire Rescue Victoria, Costa Katsikis
-Chief Operations Officer Victoria State Emergency Service, Alistair Drayton

25/02/2026

Thankyou to Latrobe City Mayor acknowledging the CEC's work to make our community a safer place. Thankyou in particular to everyone involved in the production and distribution of the 2026 calendar and the emergency number fridge magnet.