Prepare Your Home and Property for Fire Season

Towong Shire Council is encouraging our communities to take steps to prepare their homes and properties for the upcoming fire season. The fire danger period can range from any time between spring and autumn, depending on the level of risk predicted for the season. The CFA will determine the start of the fire season based on various factors, including weather conditions and fuel moisture levels. Once the fire season is declared, the dates can be found on the CFA website here: cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-danger-period-restrictions.

“We’re asking all Victorians in high-risk areas to take simple actions to prepare their family and property as the weather begins to warm,” said CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan.

To help protect your property and community, there are several important tasks to complete. Cut long grass, keep gutters clear of leaf litter, and remove flammable items from decks and verandahs. Trim overhanging tree branches, clear dry grass, leaves, and bark, prune shrubs away from trees, and move woodpiles away from your home.

Chief Officer Heffernan urged residents, “If you live near areas with bush, forest, long grass, or coastal scrub, these actions and decisions may well save your life and property in the event of a bushfire.”

We want to ensure our communities are safe, so our Municipal Fire Prevention Officers (MFPO) will be commencing inspections on vacant land during the spring period.

If you receive a notice, please ensure that the required works are carried out by the completion date and that your property is maintained for the duration of the Fire Danger Period. If you have any questions about preparing your property for the upcoming Fire Danger Period, please visit: tinyurl.com/emergency-management-bushfires.

For more information on preparing your property, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare or contact your local CFA.