General News
11 October, 2023
Be prepared for fire season
THE Country Fire Authority (CFA) is urging Victorians to prepare their properties as warm weather arrives and fire season approaches.
THE Country Fire Authority (CFA) is urging Victorians to prepare their properties as warm weather arrives and fire season approaches.
Victoria can expect a warmer spring contributing to higher fire risk in parts of the state this season, according to the latest Spring Seasonal Outlook.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said CFA crews right across the state were making every effort to prepare for this year’s fire season but needed a collective community effort to reduce bushfire risk.
“Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world, so it’s vital for everyone to plan ahead,” he said.
“All it takes is some basic maintenance such as clearing your gutters, picking up loose leaves and twigs, pruning tree branches so they aren’t overhanging the roof of your property, or even just keeping your lawn under 10cm tall.
“High rainfall and moisture levels over the past 12 months will have led to vegetation growth on private properties, so it’s important to maintain your property through spring and into fire season.”
Chief officer Heffernan also encouraged everyone to sit down with their family or household to discuss and practice their bushfire survival plan together.
“CFA has all the information you need on our website to create a clear bushfire plan with your loved ones,” he said.
“If you already have one, blow the dust off it and go over it with your family.
“Practicing your bushfire survival plan could save your family’s life.”
Victorians can learn more about how to prepare their property at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/prepare, and for more about bushfire survival plan, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/bushfireplan.
Take the following actions to prepare yourself and your property:
• Move your winter woodpile away from the house or sheds;
• Prune tree branches so they are not overhanging the roof or touching walls;
• Clear your gutters;
• Keep grass shorter than 10cm;
• Remove leaves and twigs from around your property; and
• Test anything that is part of your fire plan such as sprinklers, pumps and generators.