As the risk of grassfires increases across the State, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) is urging Victorians to prepare their bushfire survival plan now and know when to evacuate early.
Chief Officer of the CFA, Jason Heffernan said the Authority’s crews had already responded to dozens of significant fast-moving grass and scrub fires this season.
“Those living near areas that have bush, forest, long grass or coastal scrub need to consider their fire plan and understand the Fire Danger Ratings and what they mean,” CO Heffernan said.
“On days of Extreme fire danger, fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous, so leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option,” he said.
“On days of catastrophic fire danger, lives and property are likely to be impacted, so for your survival you should leave bushfire risk areas early in the morning or the night before.”
CO Heffernan said it was extremely difficult to think clearly during an emergency, so it was crucial for Victorians living in high-risk areas to have a plan in place.
He urged people to use Fire Danger Ratings as triggers to take action to keep themselves safe.
“Leaving early is the safest option on a day of extreme or catastrophic fire danger – houses are not designed or constructed to withstand fires in catastrophic conditions,” CO Heffernan said.
“Fire safety is a shared responsibility across the community and on high-risk days you cannot expect a fire truck at every property,” he said.
“It’s your responsibility to make the best possible decision for you and your family based on the current Fire Danger Ratings and official warnings for your area.”
Further information on how to prepare a bushfire plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
