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Horsham Fire Brigade doesn’t get much break between seasons – just different types of fire.
Winter tends to be more structure type and summer is bush and grass types.
Captain John St Clair said brigade members were completing controlled burns for asset protection around the town including one from Rasmussen Avenue on Dooen Road out to Dooen along the railway line.
This would provide asset protection for that part of the river, Riding for the Disabled and houses in the area.
Other areas for controlled burns are being signed off in the next couple of weeks but will help protect assets around the town.
Mr St Clair said brigade members were brushing up their wildfire skills and covering aspects of safety in bushfires such as burn-over drills and hazardous tree knowledge, to ensure members are safe in dangerous situations.
He urged Horsham residents and people in smaller communities to clean up their yards now; getting rid of grass clipping piles, cleaning up wood sheds or piles and getting rid of long grass and rubbish.
The brigade has started putting up pre-summer tips on its Facebook page and people can contact the brigade to come out and give suggestions on how to tidy up or what can be done in different circumstances.
Mr St Clair said anyone wanting to burn excess rubbish from their block, or to do their own controlled burn, needed to get a permit from the Horsham Rural City Council.
Mr St Clair said it was vital people also registered the burn with the Country Fire Authority on 1800 668 511, in case someone reported it as a fire.
Even though it’s an urban brigade, Horsham works in with Parks Victoria, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and other rural CFA brigades to protect local communities and assets.
