The slower pace of life, access to nature, and close communities are all among the benefits of making a tree change however, one of the risks is not being prepared for fires.
With forecasts pointing towards a challenging fire season across many parts of Victoria and with recent research showing concerning levels of complacency, CFA is urging especially those that may have never had to prepare before to start clearing their properties.
He joined the local CFA as a way of ensuring he understood the risks of living in the area and completed his General Fire Fighting training just before the 2024 Bayindeen fires.
“That was definitely a sobering experience,” he said.
“It really drove home to me how important being fire ready was and learning about the risks of the area you have chosen to live in.”
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said fire safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“We can’t have a truck in every driveway,” he said.
“By doing things now like clearing your gutters, pruning trees, moving woodpiles, and mowing grass you really help our firefighters but you also give yourself and your property the best chance for survival.
“Our recent bushfire community survey found that 85 per cent of residents in high-risk bushfire areas still don’t have a written bushfire survival plan, and 50 per cent perceived the threat of bushfire to be small or very small.
“That complacency is concerning, especially with forecasts pointing to a challenging fire season across many parts of Victoria.”
Kalista Fire Brigade volunteer Talor Robertson moved to a heavily forested block of land in the area from a “concrete box” in Collingwood in 2023.
He joined CFA after feeling as though he had a responsibility to help protect the community living in a bushfire risk area.
“It comes with living out here,” he said.
“It’s not the same as living in Melbourne and people need to be aware of that before moving.”
Take the following actions to prepare yourself and your property:
- Move your winter woodpile away from the house or sheds.
- Prune tree branches so they are not overhanging the roof or touching walls.
- Clear your gutters.
- Keep grass shorter than 10cm.
- Remove leaves and twigs from around your property.
- Test anything that is part of your fire plan such as sprinklers, pumps and generators.
- Register your burn off. The quickest and easiest way is by visiting the Fire Permits Victoria website at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify, or call Triple Zero Victoria on 1800 688 511.
- Make sure your household has a bushfire plan. Find out how at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/bushfireplan.
CFA is holding a “Get Fire Ready” initiative in October, encouraging all Victorians to engage with local brigades to seek out information this coming fire season and to connect with their local CFA brigade.
There will be activities across the state beginning with the weekend of 4-5 October. Find out more by visiting cfa.vic.gov.au/about-us/cfa-events/get-fire-ready.
To find out more about your local Get Fire Ready Open Day, please visit: cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready