Prepare now for the fire season

Published on 01 October 2021

Fire.JPG

Residents are encouraged to remove or reduce any potential fire risks from their property now in readiness for the coming Fire Danger Period.

With the 2021/22 Fire Danger Period to be declared in the coming weeks, residents are encouraged to act early and prepare for what is predicted to be another high fire danger season.

“You can never anticipate when a fire is going to occur, so whether you live in a farming area or residential street, it is important to plan ahead and be ready for the fire season,” Gannawarra Shire Council’s Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

To assist with efforts, the Country Fire Authority website featuring activities Victorians can undertake now before the bushfire season. These resources can be downloaded at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-to-prepare-your-property

“In starting fire season preparations, residents of large properties or farms can employ measures as removing excess weeds and dry grass, maintaining fire breaks, ensuring proper haystack storage and heat monitoring, having firefighting equipment installed, and putting a fire plan in place, particularly in regards to the management of livestock,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“Residents of smaller properties can prepare for the fire season by clearing gutters of debris, removing overhanging branches and wood stacks from beside housing, and by having an emergency fire evacuation plan in place for the household, in addition to fire protection and fire extinguishing equipment.”

Meanwhile, in the interest of community safety, Council staff will soon commence fire hazard inspections, focusing on vacant blocks and areas that surround dwellings throughout the Gannawarra.

Landowners can be fined under the CFA Act for matters relating to failing to comply with Fire Prevention Notices and breaching conditions of Permits to Burn issued during the Fire Danger Period.

For further information on how you can keep your family and community safe this fire season, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/emergency

Tagged as: