CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer District 20 Mick Sporton said the timing of restrictions was determined by local conditions, including rainfall, grassland curing and forest dryness.
While a firm date is yet to be announced, Rochester Fire Brigade captain Chris Nisbet said residents should not wait for restrictions before acting.
“Most definitely residents should be preparing their properties now for the 2026-27 fire season,” Mr Nisbet said.
Recent conditions have produced significant grass growth across the district, creating potential fuel as temperatures rise.
“Getting on top of your mowing and slashing around your property well and truly ahead of the fire season is of the utmost importance,” Mr Nisbet said.
“We’ve had a very good spring. There’s a lot of extra growth this year.
“It is hard to say if it will be an earlier fire season due to the weather patterns we have had lately.”
Mr Nisbet said the combination of heavy growth and unpredictable weather was a big concern heading into summer.
“What worries me the most is the unknown weather conditions and patterns that we could possibly get with the growth around,” he said.
Residents are also urged to keep driveways clear — overgrown trees and other obstacles can prevent fire trucks from reaching your property when every second counts.
“Have a think about your important documents and memorabilia, maybe having those in a bag that can be easily accessed if you need to leave early or quickly,” he said.
Rochester CFA is ready for the season, with volunteers completing mandatory training and equipment prepared.
Residents planning burn-offs before restrictions begin are urged to register them with Fire Permits Victoria to prevent unnecessary emergency call-outs.
Property preparation advice is available at cfa.vic.gov.au/prepare
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