December 7th, 2024Plan ahead this fire season CFA warns
As we come into summer and what we know will be a challenging fire season, the CFA is urging all Victorians to have a fire plan and know where to get emergency information from.
Two significant fires have already taken place in the Wimmera and Otways this Spring and the summer seasonal outlook shows there is an increased fire risk for most of the west, southwest, northeast, Greater Melbourne and southwestern parts of Gippsland including the Mornington Peninsula.
In the west and southwest of Victoria there has been limited rainfall for the last 18 months that has resulted in a substantial amount of dead and dry plant material within forests, making it easier for fires to start and spread.
Grasslands in the areas with a heightened risk have superficial green on top that conceals underlying dryness, meaning grassland curing is likely to start earlier than normal.
In the other parts of Victoria, including central Victoria and the Hepburn Shire area, the fire risk is expected to be normal but the state’s fire services are committed to continuing to monitor these areas to identify any significant changes to fire risk.
The CFA says it’s ready to protect communities and has been working with other Victorian emergency service partners to prepare for fire season.
Fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and the community with the CFA asking all Victorians in high-risk areas to take simple actions to prepare their family and property as the weather begins to warm.
On hot, dry, windy days, fires can start and spread quickly. If the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early before a fire has started is the safest option.
The CFA is advising to never wait for an official warning before you leave, as you may not get one. Fires can start quickly and threaten homes and lives within minutes.
The CFA is advising people to make sure they have a plan. If you wait and decide to leave after a fire has started, you risk driving through thick smoke, fallen trees and power lines, and face the danger of collisions, being trapped by fire, serious injury or death.
Stay informed by downloading the VicEmergency app to stay across incidents and fire danger ratings in your area.
This story based on a CFA report
