Community
11 September, 2024
Early fire season could be on the way
VICTORIA could be facing an earlier start to the fire season this year, according to Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief officer Jason Heffernan.
He said the Spring Seasonal Outlook released last week predicts an increased risk of fire to the south west, west and north western parts of Victoria due to a drier than average first half of the year.
“Without significant rainfall it is likely to lead to an above average fire risk and an earlier start to the fire season during the spring period,” Mr Heffernan said.
“There is an increased level of fuel hazard due to an accumulation in the amount of dead plant material resulting from reduced rainfall in the areas identified as increased risk of fire.
“Grassland curing in these areas are likely to advance earlier than normal in the absence of significant rainfall.
“The fire risk across the rest of Victoria is predicted to be normal, noting there is a chance the fire season may also begin earlier than normal in areas dominated by drier forests, woodlands and heathlands – inland and coastal.”
Mr Heffernan said CFA is ready to protect communities, “as we do every year” and has been working with Victorian emergency service partners throughout the cooler months to prepare for fire season.
However, he said CFA crews urge the community to understand fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and the community.
“We’re asking all Victorians in high-risk areas to take simple actions to prepare their family and property as the weather begins to warm,” Mr Heffernan said.
“If you live near areas with bush, forest, long grass or coastal scrub, these actions and decisions may well save your life and property in the event of a bushfire.
“Find some time to sit down with your family or household and make a Bushfire Survival Plan, and if you already have one, it’s a great time to review it.
“It’s also the perfect time to tidy up your property, this can include clearing your gutters, pruning branches away from your roof or walls, keeping grass shorter than 10cm and removing leaves and twigs from around your property.”
Landowners should also consider private burn offs to remove green waste ahead of Fire Danger Period (FDP) declarations.
Mr Heffernan said all burn-offs must be registered, which can be done online at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au.
“Stay informed by downloading the VicEmergency app to stay across incidents and fire danger ratings in your area,” he said.
“I urge all Victorians to visit the CFA website to learn more about how they can prepare themselves ahead of this bushfire season at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/prepare.”