Having lived in and around Montrose for most of her life, Bree Kuffer is no stranger to preparing for fire season.
When a bushfire broke out in March this year, Bree said it reinforced the importance of staying alert.
“I remember it feeling quite surreal to begin with, and maybe not really understanding how big a deal it was,” Bree said.
“We could see and smell the smoke and could hear the sirens…you were acutely aware that it was in your township, but I think the severity of it took a while for us to really understand.”
Living around two kilometres from where the fire originated, Bree and her family were safely outside the impacted area, but aware that the situation could change rapidly.
“We have a very clear plan to go as a family. Ultimately, we decided as a family that a house is a house, and nothing is more important than the people inside that house.”
When fire hit Montrose this year, it was the location of fire that surprised Bree and many other community members.
“What was surprising during the fire was the amount of suburban homes that were at risk. I think the Montrose fire has shown that it can happen to anyone.”
In the wake of the fire, Bree and her family have placed a heavy focus on preparing their property ahead of the upcoming season, as well as making sure they know their plan.
“We’re so fortunate to have so many beautiful gum trees that drop a lot of sticks and branches around us, so my husband will clear them regularly so it’s not as big a job when you get closer to summer,” Bree said.
“There’s an important conversation that has to happen in families about being prepared and everybody having a role and listening and doing what we need to do if we need to evacuate.”
For Bree, the most important lesson that arose from the fire was the importance of keeping up to date and knowing your threshold to take action.
“We’re very fortunate now, to have real-time information provided to us in a way that perhaps wasn’t around 10 or 20 years ago. During the Montrose incident, we were very much keeping an eye on the VicEmergency app and watching CFA on Facebook,” Bree said.
“The reinforced part for me is that the decision to leave is mine, my husband’s and our families. Fire is so unpredictable and can move so quickly that you can’t wait to be told.
“I think that that was a big lesson for everybody, they need to really think about what their role is in making decisions that are best for them.
“One of the lessons out of Montrose’s fire was that when it is widespread and there’s multiple areas at risk, it’s probably not realistic to expect in an event like that that a fire truck will come to your house and make everything okay.
“I need to make decisions for myself, my children and my pets, the decisions that are right for us.
“Everybody that lives in an area like this has to be aware of what their risk is, what they have to take control of themselves, and ultimately when to leave.”
This October more than 530 CFA brigades across Victoria are hosting an event to help their communities Get Fire Ready. To find out more about preparing your property, creating a fire plan or to find an event near you visit: cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready
