A CFA official is sounding the alarm for residents of District 22 to act swiftly in readying their properties for what could be a scorching summer.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Owen is urging residents in Moira Shire, Strathbogie Shire and the City of Greater Shepparton to take their summer preparedness activities seriously.
“This year will be a little different to the last two summers,” he said.
“We haven’t had the rainfall and floods leading into the summer, the landscape is drying out earlier and we anticipate we will have a ‘normal’ season, with more fire activity than the past two years.”
Daytime and night-time temperatures are expected to soar above average in the coming months, after recent below-average rainfall in many places.
“The hot weather we have experienced in spurts over recent weeks, along with drying out of grasses, means that the introduction of the Fire Danger Period won’t be too far away,” Mr Owen said.
“If people haven’t already done so, now is the time to get busy around their homes.”
Mr Owen advised residents to clean their gutters, clear leaf litter and other fine fuels from around their homes, remove flammable items such as paper and wood, and store fuel supplies and chemicals away from the house.
Local farmers are also reminded to ensure their equipment is prepared for the season ahead and complies with requirements.
Preparing one’s property can significantly reduce the chance of property loss during a fire, even if planning to leave early.
Additionally, residents planning to conduct burn-offs should register before lighting up at firepermits.vic.gov.au or call 1800 668 511.
They need to be vigilant about their council’s local law regarding when and where burning is permitted, particularly considering weather conditions.
Mr Owen stressed the importance of monitoring wind strength both on the day of the burn and several days afterwards, ensuring that ample water was available to extinguish the burn-off fully.
Last autumn, District 22 saw a large number of escaped burn-offs, often re-ignitions from the previous day.
With these preparations, residents play a crucial role in protecting their homes and the safety of their communities from impending fire risks.
For more information about property preparation, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-to-prepare-your-property
Tips to prepare your property before and during the warmer months:
- Mature trees can help shield against radiant heat and embers.
- Keep grass cut to less than 10cm.
- Keep woodpiles away from the house.
- Store flammable liquids away from the house.
- Get rid of dry grass, leaves, twigs and loose bark.
- Prune shrubs well away from tree branches and prune lower branches of shrubs to separate from surface fuels underneath.
- Cut back overhanging branches.
- Remove flammable items from decks and verandahs, such as boxes, furniture and doormats.
- Do not have large shrubs next to or under windows.
- Keep gutters clear of leaf litter.
- Use pebbles or rocks in your garden (not flammable mulch).