With above average rainfall forecast from now to December, this year’s fire season has the potential to be a grassfire-dominated season, with shorter-duration fires in grass and dry forests during hotter and windier days.
Echuca CFA captain Rob Amos said the bushfire season had the potential to be a bad one and warned against complacency.
‘‘It’s a tough one because of the weather,’’ he said.
‘‘We had about an inch of rain on the weekend so that’s keeping things green but it will depend on whether it heats up and dries things out.
‘‘If it does, it has the potential to be a slightly worse season than last year.’’
Mr Amos said Fire Action Week was a great reminder for residents to better understand their fire risk and what to do about it.
He urged people to clean and prepare their properties, be vigilant when burning off, service their coolers, stay informed on weather warnings and update their fire plan to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
‘‘You also need to plan and prepare for your personal safety by understanding your risk and having a fire plan,’’ he said.
‘‘Because of COVID things have changed. You can still leave early but you need to consider taking the appropriate stuff like face masks and sanitiser as well as decide where you will go.
‘‘In the past you may have gone to an elderly relative’s home so you may need to ask yourself ‘is this appropriate now?’ and ‘where should I go?’
“Plan for all situations by talking to your family and friends about your triggers to leave, where you’ll go and how you’ll get there.’’
Metropolitan Melbourne residents will also be able to undertake fire preparedness activities at second properties in regional Victoria, by obtaining written formal approval from the council their second property is located in.
Echuca residents continue to be able to travel to a second property, holiday home or business in regional Victoria to prepare it for an emergency.
Mr Amos encouraged people to get into the habit of checking Fire Danger Ratings on the VicEmergency website or app daily to understand the fire risk in the area.
‘‘Check the restrictions and the weather before you burn-off,’’ he said.
‘‘If it’s windy, ask yourself if you really need to do it that day. We were called to an out-of-control burn-off in Koyuga last week because of the wind.’’
In the lead-up to summer, CFA will run Fire Safety Essentials online sessions to help Victorians understand their fire risk and help you prepare.
Visit cfa.vic.gov.au for information about bushfire planning and preparation, and about leaving early.
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