Residents of the Bega Valley are being urged by the Rural Fire Service (RFS) to create a fire plan and make preparations around their homes despite a good season of winter rains.
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This weekend, September 11-12 sees the annual RFS Get Ready Weekend, with advice and information being shared widely, although without the usual open day events this time around.
Superintendent of the Far South Coast RFS John Cullen said that with the predicted rains through spring, any large growth of grass, if not cut back around properties and assets, could pose a threat.
"The area we concerned about is around the Christmas time and after, if the weather dries out," Mr Cullen said.
Mr Cullen said a fire can burn faster and flames will reach higher depending on the height of the grass and dryness.
RFS advice is that grass fires start quickly and spread rapidly, moving three times faster than bushfires and they are not to be underestimated.
"We really encourage property owners to prepare their properties, make sure that the fuel loads are low around assets, have a plan on what you're going to do, what your family will do on those bad days," Mr Cullen said.
Mr Cullen said the second most important thing to do moving into the summer season was to keep an eye on the weather, listen to what the warnings are and what the fire danger ratings are for the day, and prepare accordingly.
RFS's top six tips for preparing your property for grass fires
- Keep grass short - you can move, graze or slash it back
- Maintain your machinery
- Check and maintain firefighting equipment (if you have any) - pumps and hoses
- Make sure a fire truck can access your property - think about gates, bridges or obstructions
- If you're using fire on your property, find out if you need a permit
"Just make preparation around your property and your range of assets, increase your grazing with your livestock around those areas of assets, but also consider what you'll do on those bad days with your with your livestock, if fire does break out," Mr Cullen said.
To see the daily Fire Danger Ratings, visit the RFS page on Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans.
To find out more on how to prepare and how to maintain your machinery visit the RFS page here.
Mr Cullen said grass fires can be ignited a number of ways, some being due to machinery or vehicles producing sparks, an old burn re-igniting, or lightning from dry storms.
Making spring preparations for fire breaks by keeping the grass down around property, crops and fences, will not only make the property safe but also assists the local fighter fighters during summer.
"The key is to have a plan in place and have a discussion with your family, your loved ones about what worked in the Black Summer fires and what didn't work, what you'll change in your planning if something happens this year," Mr Cullen said.
Get Ready Weekend: September 11 - 12
The RFS Get Ready Weekend set for September 11 and 12 will be a great source of information for those seeking out information on how to prepare.
Local RFS brigades will be reaching out through social media to provide information to the public.
RFS has broken it down into three ways you can get involved for the weekend:
- Check your local fire brigade social pages for information and tips for preparations
- Find out the bushfire risk in your area, and do the top five actions to make your home safer
- Make your bushfire survival plan for the coming fire season, and discuss it with your family
Ahead of the summer season here are four simple steps offered online by the RFS to get ready for a fire.
Discuss with those you live what your plan is, prepare your home for the bush fire season, know the bush fire alert levels and finally keep all the bush fire information numbers, website and the Fires Near Me app (which is also accessed on their website).
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