Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) are both warning Victorians to prepare their homes for summer fires despite a predicted wet season.
Commissioner of FRV, Ken Block said fast-running grassfires would be a risk across the State this summer, with winter and spring rain leading to significant pasture growth in paddocks and roadsides.
“Victoria is expecting a normal fire season, with below-normal bushfire potential across the east, however, the potential for grassfires is still very real across Victoria,” Commissioner Block said.
“Normal fire potential is expected in grasslands and dry forests and short-duration fires are still likely to occur under the right conditions – hot dry and windy days,” he said.
“It’s not just people who live in rural areas that need to be aware of their risk of grassfires this summer – if you live on the urban fringe you could also be at risk.”
Commissioner Block said if a grassfire broke out, people on the urban fringe next to grasslands should walk two streets back into built-up areas and wait for emergency services.
“If you live more than two streets away from grassfires, stay indoors with the windowsills and doors blocked by towels and turn off your air-conditioning,” he said.
State Building Surveyor at the VBA, Andrew Cialini urged homeowners to prepare for the 2021-22 fire season by making a bushfire survival plan.
“Victoria is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world, so it is important to make sure you prepare your home early,” Mr Cialini said.
“Being prepared early is key, don’t wait until it’s too late, start updating your survival plans now and get your home ready for fire season,” he said.
“Steps you can take now include clearing leaves from gutters and installing leaf-guards, as well as protecting evaporative coolers with properly sized metal bushfire mesh screens.”
Mr Cialini said homeowners could also get in contact with a Registered Building Practitioner to see how they could retrofit their properties with additional safety features.
The State Building Surveyor said there were easy and affordable things owners could do to protect their properties from things like ember attack, such as seal gaps in the external walls and eaves with silicone; apply silicon weather strips and draught excluders to windows and external doors; cover vents in external walls with metal bushfire mesh; and seal around roofing joints and roof penetrations.
Further information on preparing for the fire season can be accessed on the Country Fire Authority’s 76-page website at this PS News link.
