We have officially arrived at summer!
While we slip, slop and slap, we must also remember the very real reality of bushfires.
Today is the perfect opportunity to assess your property and what you need to do to prepare for a bushfire.
Fire management contractors continue to audit and undertake works on specific fuel management zones within our bushland reserves and on priority roadsides.
There is no doubt though that upcoming warmer and drier conditions makes the task of clearing debris and fire hazards all the more urgent.
What you can do to reduce bushfire risk on 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
- Check that your home and contents insurance is current and includes a level of cover in line with current building standards and regulations.
Please register your burn off online with Fire Permits Victoria via their website: firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify. If you forget and your burn off is within the next two hours, you must register your burn via the phone line on 1800 668 511.
With the start of summer, please also be aware of the Mornington Peninsula’s fire danger rating period, which begins on Monday 18 December 2023 and will remain in place, unless varied by subsequent declaration, until 1 May 2024.
To learn more about the fire danger ratings, please visit the VIC Emergency website: emergency.vic.gov.au/firedangerratings.
In CFA’s annual Bushfire Community Survey, they discovered that 30.9% of Victorian’s would wait for emergency authorities to tell them what to do, 28.6% would stay until they felt threatened and 13.8% would stay and defend their property.
The CFA website has useful resources to assist you in preparing your property and your family for a bushfire: cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare
