Know the risk and have a plan: high grass fire risk in the Wimmera, says CFA

Country Fire Authority community engagement coordinator Jenny McGennisken said fires in the Wimmera were usually grass fires and that it was important people understood the specific risks they presented.

"We're not going to necessarily have the raging bushfires that we're seeing in Gippsland," she said. "We're not going to see fires like we've seen on the TV at Mallacoota because we haven't got that bush to drive it."

Ms McGennisken said extreme temperatures in the Wimmera created dry grass and stubble in paddocks.

"You have to remember that all fires are dangerous," she said. "Grass fires can move really quickly at speeds of up to 25km/h and jump highways.

"With a bit of wind it doesn't take much for a grass fire to just burn really quickly and I think that's the thing that catches people unaware.

"We've probably been really lucky because we haven't had a big fire but we've had lots of grass fires which our brigades and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning staff have attended to from lightning strikes.

"They'd be driving to a fire and then another one would be reported on the radio and they were just popping up right in front of them."

Ms McGennisken said the fire at the Henty Highway near Cherrypool on December 31 highlighted just how fast a grass fire could spread.

"It was 150 hectares in a really quick period of time," she said. "It's about being alert and not becoming complacent because we're all thinking about that's happening over in the other side of the state. We've got a long way to go.

"Our summer is only just starting and it's going to be a long one and fatigue can set in. People tune out and it's really important they don't because you don't know what is around the corner."

Ms McGennisken said people should take measures to reduce the risk of rural grass fires on days that it was safe to do so, such as with a low fire danger rating.

"That could be to slash, mow, graze or spray grass near your home and assets to prevent fuel breaks," she said.

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People should not be complacent about the risk of fires in urban grassland, Ms McGennisken said.

"Some of our towns throughout the Wimmera have houses on the edge that abutt onto grassland," she said. "Just because we're in the middle of town doesn't mean that we shouldn't be aware of our surroundings.

"It's really important if you live right next to grassland in an urban environment and a grass fire starts we are saying to walk at least two streets back from the fire to stay safe and monitor conditions."

Ms McGennisken said people needed to be aware of the dangers of ember attacks.

"If we've had strong winds and there's a fire on the outskirts of Horsham, for example Horsham West, where it's coming in off the paddock the wind will push those embers very far ahead."

Ms McGennisken said it was important to reduce fire risk by removing any burning hazards such as piles of tyres and to have options to fight ember attacks, including hose, mop and bucket and even water guns.

She said on days of high fire danger people could seek refuge at air-conditioned places in town, such as Horsham Plaza.

"On a normal day in summer if you get a hint there is a fire and you don't want to be at your house go somewhere else," Ms McGennisken said. "If you smell smoke there is a good chance there is a fire."

Ms McGennisken said farmers were generally more prepared than others when it came to fires but it was still wise to assess the risk of fires from tall trees as well as having access to a working generator and pump.

"People often forget that if you have a wood heap nearby from winter and it's still near the backdoor, then move it away from the house because that's potential fuel that can simmer," she said.

Ms McGennisken said it was particularly important that farmers carried firefighting equipment with them on their vehicles in case a fire started.

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