District 16 operations manager Bernie Fradd reminds region to act on fire preparations for upcoming season

Working from home with "loaded up power boards" and unattended appliances are items District 16 operations manager Bernie Fradd said needed to be checked along with other "planned" fire safety clean up.

This week it's Fire Action Week - Victoria's annual fire planning and preparation awareness week.

Mr Fradd said the weather in the region of late had delivered a lot of rain which will result in a lot of new growth.

"It has also given us a bit of time as well," he said.

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"If people start now, there is no need to get overwhelmed by the work ahead of you.

"We don't expect the fire danger period to start until about mid-November so people have plenty of time."

Mr Fradd said it was imperative to check on previous significant burnt piles.

"It's really important those piles are checked and pull the piles apart and make sure they are fully extinguished," he said.

"We've had examples in the past where fires have started up to two years after people had thought these piles had gone out."

There has been a spate of house fires across the Grampians and Wimmera area in the past six weeks, prompting Mr Fradd to pass along some safety tips.

"We don't have enough data to understand what is causing these house fires," he said.

"But it makes sense if people are home more often.

"Like all of us probably trying to do too many things at once. If you're trying to work at home, cook tea and maybe it's a simple as overloading a powerpoint.

"All these extra things that normally, when people are at work wouldn't happen."

Mr Fradd said all fire safety was based on common sense.

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"People need to be mindful about what they are doing," he said. "Most people after they've had a fire think to themselves; 'How can I be so stupid?'.

"What we recommend is trying to think through what you're doing rather than just do it without thinking."

Mr Fradd said property owners could assist the CFA by making sure trucks would have clear access to the property if the need arose.

For more information about fire safety and preparing for the fire season visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

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