Sarah Oliver
As summer officially begins today, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) is urging Melton and Moorabool residents to prepare to stay safe this season.
Fire restrictions are already in force in areas across Victoria, with Moorabool’s official fire danger period starting December 13, with restrictions for Melton yet to be announced.
The seasonal outlook for December to February, released last week by the Australian and New Zealand National Council for fire and emergency services, showed the potential for an average to lower-than average bushfire season in Victoria.
But CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said it was no time to get complacent.
“We know it only takes one bad day to have a bad fire season so we need to stay vigilant this summer,” he said.
“Many people have already prepared their properties, but recent wet conditions mean we’ve seen a lot of vegetation growth, so it’s important to keep maintaining your property by keeping your grass low and any other vegetation cut back as well.
“If you haven’t prepared your property, it is definitely high time to do so.”
The State Control Centre said the current climate outlook for summer indicates above average rainfall in some parts of Victoria with generally warmer than average conditions in the west of the state.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said: “When grasses and crops are close to fully dry, there is a very high potential for fire behaviour to rapidly escalate under elevated fire weather conditions”.
CFA Chief Officer Heffernan also said the start of summer was a good reminder to make a bushfire safety plan if you don’t already have one in place.
“Before you get too busy with festive season celebration and Christmas shopping, spend some time to make a plan to keep your family safe,” he said.
“Your plan should include things like which Fire Danger Rating will be your trigger to leave, where you will go, and what route you will take – and it should always contain different scenarios and back-up plans.”
