By Renee Wood
A cool change over the weekend helped hundreds of firefighters battling the out-of-control grassfire in Flowerdale bring it under control, but local residents are warned to prepare for a hot March.
The temperature reduction was pleasant relief to residents and firefighters having been preparing for a heatwave at the end of last week.
Much of the state was at risk with the heat expected to sting and hot temperatures set to persist on Thursday and Friday.
BoM Senior Meteorologist Kevin Parkin said temperatures were meant to get to high 30s, with high overnight temps not bring much relief.
“People were wondering where summer was, well summer has a sting in the tail and it’s here now,” Mr Parkin said.
The cool change was predicted for midday Saturday and was expected to bring with it a southerly wind change.
On Wednesday 22 February, Forest Fire Management Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman urged the community to know their proximity to fires.
“We’ve got winds tending northerly over the next few days, that means our fires are being pushed in southerly directions and an important thing for people to understand is when that wind change comes through normally from the south west…. that can have a devastating effect to any fires that are existing in the landscape,” Mr Hardman said.
Luckily, CFA crews were able to contain the fire and work with the wind to protect property and surrounding areas.
Despite the shift to cooler weather in the week ahead, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said fuel loads are high due to a wet winter through to the start of summer last year.
“Recently we’ve had a lot of floods in the community…and that rain did cause a lot of fuel and growth right across the state – that fuel is now dry,” Mr Heffernan said.
“It’s important that our communities are aware of the fire dangers, whether you be in metropolitan or non metropolitan areas.”
A bushfire survival plan is highly advised to ensure families are aware of what they will do in the event of a fire.
“Having that discussion with your family, can be the difference between a life or death situation. The conversation you have today could save the life of you and your family tomorrow.”
Total fire bans are expected and there’s been a warning against leaving camp fires unattended – only leaving them if they are cool to touch, after extinguishing them with water.
Those heading to waterways to cool down have also been warned to know the conditions and expect flooding has had some effect on changing the risks.
But the risk of grassfires is the most eminent threat which will only continue despite the traditional fire danger period ending.
The typography of the Flowerdale area was likened to the foothills forested areas, with the risk of grass and scrub fires dramatically increasing in those areas.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the Flowerdale fire is one of the most significant fires they’ve seen this season and crews are prepared for more to come next month.
“People generally think about the summer period but when it comes to the way that we manage risk it comes from advice from the BoM,” Mr Crisp said.
“None of us switch off even through March, it’s based on risk not necessarily on dates.”
