By Jessica Anstice
As part of Fire Action Week, Cardinia Shire residents are being urged to prepare themselves and their properties for this year’s bushfire season.
With above average rainfall forecast from now to December, this year’s fire season has the potential to be a grassfire-dominated season, with shorter-duration fires in grass and dry forests during hotter and windier days, according to the Country Fire Authority (CFA).
CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said any bushfire season in Victoria has the potential to be a bad one and warned against complacency.
“Fire Action Week is a great reminder to Victorians to get a better understanding of their fire risk and what to do about it,” Mr Cook said.
“Preparing your property means you minimise the chance of property damage during a fire, even if you plan to leave early.”
Mr Cook recommends property owners keep trees, overhanging branches and scrubs to a minimum near their home, while keeping grass shorter than 10cm.
He suggests winter wood piles are moved away from houses and debris is cleared from gutters.
“A big clean-up before the fire season can make a huge difference to the safety and survival of your home in a bushfire,” he added.
“You also need to plan and prepare for your personal safety by understanding your risk and having a fire plan.
“Plan for all situations by talking to your family and friends about your triggers to leave, where you’ll go and how you’ll get there.”
Mr Cook said residents should get into the habit of checking Fire Danger Ratings on the VicEmergency website or app daily to understand the fire risk to their area.
“It’s up to all of us to stay informed by using more than one source of information, understanding the three levels of warnings, what they mean and what you should do,” he said.
In the lead-up to summer, CFA will be running Fire Safety Essentials online sessions to help residents understand their fire risk and teach them how to prepare.
CFA’s top preparation tips to make sure you’re ready for the upcoming fire season:
– Prepare your property; it can minimise property damage even if you leave early:
– Move furniture, woodpiles and mulch away from windows, decks and eaves
– Prune tree branches so they are not overhanging the roof or touching walls
– Keep grass shorter than 10cm. Regularly remove leaves and twigs
– Don’t have plants higher than 10cm in front of windows or glass doors
– Before you leave, make sure you remove all flammable items from around your home. Houses have been lost from things as simple as embers landing on a doormat
– Check that your home and contents insurance is current and includes a level of cover in line with current building standards and regulations.
Visit cfa.vic.gov.au for more information about bushfire planning and preparation, and about leaving early.
