WIMMERA residents are urged to start preparing for the upcoming fire season.
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Emergency services started its preparations earlier this year with the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecasts of a dry and hot summer – meaning an earlier and longer fire season.
The Country Fire Authority’s District 17 operations manager Craig Brittain said people need to improve their understanding of fire risks in the region, prepare their properties and plan how to stay safe during the upcoming season.
Mr Brittain said an action plan was a key resource to have ready when a fire breaks out. He said action plans were not just for people living in high risk areas, but also people living on the outskirts of urban towns.
“People should have their action plan already prepared. If they had one last year then it is simply reviewing that and making sure its current,” he said. “If people don’t have one already then they can find resources on the authority’s website and learn how to do one.”
He said an action plans was just a matter of being prepared in the case of an evacuation.
Mr Brittain said people should also prepare their homes for the fire season.
“They should be clearing up around the house – mowing lawns, slashing grass, making sure any overhanging trees are trimmed off, gutters are clear of flammable material such as leaf matter,” he said.
“People should also check if there is sufficient water on hand. If they have tanks available for firefighting then they need to run their pumps to make sure they work.
“If they are preparing to defend their homes they need to have appropriate clothing, as well as, mops and buckets – any equipment to help defend the house from ember attacks.”
Mr Brittain advised people to visit the CFA website for more information on the precautions they could put in place.
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