HALL QUERIES LACK OF GIPPSLAND FIRE BAN

Nationals MP, Peter Hall has written to Victoria's chief fire officer seeking an explanation as to why Gippsland was not declared a total fire ban area yesterday.

Mr Hall said he was astonished that when fires were already alight near Erica and at Wilson's Promontory and with temperatures in the high 30's and ferocious winds predicted, the region was not declared a total fire ban.

"We have experienced some devastating bushfires in Gippsland in recent years and it's crucial we now acknowledge the importance of taking every possible step to minimise the risk of out of control blazes," said Mr Hall.

"One of these measures is the issuing of total fire ban declarations in weather conditions that indicate a high fire risk, such as those we experienced yesterday in Gippsland. I for one would rather the decision makers err on the side of caution when considering these matters."

Mr Hall said that because of the nature of vegetation over much of Gippsland, the region faced a significant fire risk compared to other areas of the state and needed proper fire control planning mechanisms.

"The volatile nature of Gippsland's vegetation and the large amount of forested land in our region means that we now require a comprehensive fuel reduction program above and beyond that which currently operates.

"The fire risk is immense in Gippsland, partly due to a lack of fuel reduction programs in the past, so we must now take every step possible to prevent out-of-control fires from starting in the first instance.

"We ought to be one of the first areas of the state to be declared total fire ban on a hot, windy, low-humidity day like yesterday, not the only area of the State to be declared exempt."

Mr Hall praised the CFA volunteers, DSE staff and International Power Hazelwood employees who are battling to get blazes burning in Gippsland under control.

"Numerous major fire incidents in our region over the last few years have made our local emergency services personnel well practised in responding quickly to fires," said Mr Hall.

"We all need to take some responsibility in preventing fires and not exposing volunteers and paid fire fighters to unnecessary risks.

"With dry conditions prevailing, prudent decisions need to be made to declare days of total fire ban more often this summer."