Mt Evelyn Fire Brigade

Please be advised we will be testing the community warning siren around 10am this morning.

PLANNED BURN – OWL LAND RESERVE, MT EVELYN (UPDATE)

A great result at Owl Land Reserve today, with the planned burn successfully completed.

Mt Evelyn crews, supported by neighbouring brigades, worked steadily throughout the day to carry out the burn safely and effectively. It’s a solid result in reducing fuel loads in an area we know is high risk, helping to better protect our community heading into future fire seasons.

You may notice some glowing material within the burn area overnight. This is expected and remains contained within the burnt-out area.

Our crews will continue to patrol the site over the next three days to monitor conditions and make sure everything stays safe.

We’re proud of the work done today, and grateful for the support and understanding from our community while this important work was carried out.

The community is invited to attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service hosted by the Mt Evelyn RSL.

🕯 5:45am
📍 Memorial Gardens

Please arrive early to ensure you’re in place before the service begins, as we come together to honour and remember those who have served.

Lest We Forget

PLANNED BURN – OWL LAND RESERVE, MT EVELYN (RESCHEDULED)

Weather permitting, tomorrow Mt Evelyn crews, supported by neighbouring brigades, will be conducting the planned burn at Owl Land Reserve.

Smoke will be visible in the area.

This is a controlled burn under suitable conditions, with crews monitoring at all times. There is no cause for alarm.

This area has been identified as high risk, and reducing fuel loads is an important step in helping protect our community.

Environmental considerations, including endangered species, have been carefully factored into planning in consultation with relevant agencies.

If you have respiratory conditions, please follow your health plan.

We appreciate your understanding while this important work is carried out.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Mt Evelyn RSL for this generous support.

This donation means a great deal to our brigade—not just for what it will help us achieve, but for what it represents. The connection between our organisations runs deep.

A sincere thank you to everyone at the Mt Evelyn RSL, and to Betty Crittenden for presenting the cheque. We’re proud to stand alongside you in serving our community.

Monday evening (12/4/26), Mt Evelyn RSL Sub-Branch had the pleasure of presenting a cheque of $10,000 to the Mt Evelyn Fire Brigade. An integral and most important element of the Mt Evelyn community. They have long supported, and continue to support Mt Evelyn RSL. We acknowledge our first responders and respect their service protecting our community and surrounds. Many past and current members of the Fire Brigade are members of our Sub-Branch and veterans of the Australian Defence Force. We will always support groups with veterans amongst their number who contribute to making our community better.
Pictured is Betty Crittenden (RSL Life Member) presenting a $10,000 cheque to Rick Ventrella (Mt Evelyn Fire Brigade Captain).
Thank you Mt Evelyn Fire Brigade, a most worthy recipient.

Matt Crymble.
President, Mt Evelyn RSL Sub-Branch.

Due to weather conditions, today’s planned burn at Owl Land Reserve has been cancelled.
We’ll provide further updates if the burn is rescheduled.
Thanks for your understanding.

‼️Update 6th April - Postponed due to weather conditions not being suitable.

🔥Planned Burn Notification🔥

Mount Evelyn and surrounding suburbs may see or smell smoke from the ignition of a CFA planned burn in the next few days.

If weather and site conditions remain suitable, CFA firefighters will ignite the following planned burn:
Mount Evelyn – Owl Land Reserve (0.69 hectares)

This planned burn is being undertaken to reduce fuel loads within Owl Land Reserve and to limit the impact of bushfire to surrounding properties.

Firefighters and emergency service vehicles will be operating in the area while the burn is completed.

We acknowledge this planned burn is occurring over the Easter long weekend; however, we are guided by suitable weather conditions and operational requirements and need to take the opportunities when weather conditions permit. Conducting burns when conditions are right is critical to ensuring they can be carried out safely and effectively.

To find out when and where planned burns are happening near you, go to or sign up at www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns or call 1800 226 226 or visit the VicEmergency Website or download the VicEmergency App.

Mt Evelyn Fire Brigade 🚒
Yarra Ranges Council 🏢

UPDATE: This planned burn has been cancelled due to weather conditions.

PLANNED BURN – OWL LAND RESERVE, MT EVELYN

Weather permitting, tomorrow (Easter Monday), Mt Evelyn crews, supported by neighbouring brigades, will be conducting a planned burn at Owl Land Reserve.

Smoke will be visible in the area.

This is a controlled burn under suitable conditions, with crews monitoring at all times. There is no cause for alarm.

This area has been identified as high risk, and reducing fuel loads is an important step in helping protect our community.

Environmental considerations, including endangered species, have been carefully factored into planning in consultation with relevant agencies.

If you have respiratory conditions, please follow your health plan.

We appreciate your understanding while this important work is carried out.

As we move into the general burn season, you might notice a bit of smoke around.

CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria will be carrying out planned burns across the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas over the coming weeks.
These burns are an important part of reducing fuel loads and preparing for the next fire season, but they can mean smoke in the area from time to time.
You can check what’s happening near you here: https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/

It’s been a big fire season for us at Mount Evelyn.
Our crews responded locally and across the state, including the Longwood and Walwa fires.
But what stood out most this season was our community.
The turnout at our community meeting, the number of Property Advice Visits we’ve done, the messages, the shares, the conversations - people wanting to learn, get prepared and look out for each other.
We’re locals too. We live here, raise our families here, and face the same risks every summer.
That's why we feel pretty lucky and honoured to serve this community.

Now’s the time to get ahead of next season.
We offer Property Advice Visits (PAVS) - a free service where we come out, walk your property with you, and give practical advice on how to reduce your fire risk.

Send us a message on Facebook or email [email protected] if you’d like to book one in.

Fire Danger Period’s ending - common sense still applies.

The Fire Danger Period will be lifted at 1:00am, Monday, 30 March across Knox, Manningham, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges.

That means that as of Monday, burn-offs are back, but don’t let yours get away from you.

If you’re burning off:�
Don’t leave it unattended - ever.
Have water on hand and ready to go.
Check the weather before you light up.
Keep it small and manageable.

Before you light up:
Let your neighbours know.
Register it at firepermits.vic.gov.au or call 1800 668 511.
Check your local council rules.

We’d much rather help you plan it properly than be called out to it later.
Not sure where to start? Send us a message - we’re always happy to help.