EMERGENCY services are being called to illegal fires across Ararat, Northern Grampians and the Pyrenees municipalities "almost daily".
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Country Fire Authority District 16 commander Adam Baker said residents and tourists were lighting "big bonfires" or burning off rubbish in their yards while the restrictions were still in place.
The problem was even worse on weekends, Mr Baker said.
"Over weekends we tend to see people that like to burn off or have fires that would be deemed outside what is accepted within the Fire Danger Period," he said.
"Having a large bonfire in your yard is prohibited within the Fire Danger Period and in most municipalities you can only have a small fire for cooking purposes."
While there are provisions that do allow people to have a fire under certain circumstances, people needed to check the CFA website to see if those provisions applied, and in some cases apply to the CFA or to their local council for the relevant permit.
"We want people to enjoy themselves, but at the same time we need them to comply with the restrictions," Mr Baker.
A hardcopy of the restrictions and provisions can also be picked up at the CFA District 16 headquarters on Vincent Street.
The Fire Danger Period is currently set to end on May 1 for all municipalities in western Victoria.
Mr Baker said CFA members "routinely" notified police when they attended a fire that appeared to be illegally lit.
"They can be charged," he said.
"Police would be notified of any fire during the Fire Danger Period and they would then make a determination in consultation with us as to whether that fire was compliant with the regulations."
Sergeant Shane Allgood, of Ararat, said people should follow the restrictions if they are to avoid being penalised.
""We appreciate people are trying to clean up their yards but you can't light a fire during the Fire Restriction Period - if anyone has questions they should contact the CFA office before contemplating lighting a fire," he said.
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