CFA are urging locals to get prepped for bushfire season and say planning ahead is key.
“It’s time to prepare your property and finalise your planning”, said CFA Captain of the Kalorama-Mt Dandenong fire brigade, Bill Robinson.
The Dandenong Ranges is one of the most fire prone areas in the world and all residents need to be prepared for fire.
The fire season is just around the corner, and the CFA say we can be subject to fire with little or no notice.
Whether you live, work or travel in a high bushfire risk area, you need to understand the risk and how best to prepare for it.
Community Safety Coordinator said Virginia Porter said planning ahead is your safest option.
“Plan and prepare for what you are going to do on certain risk days – and stick to it. Changing plans or failing to leave can be life threatening,” she said.
The Kalorama-Mt Dandenong Brigade and the Kalorama Fuel Management Working Group recently ran two planning workshops for local residents.
The workshops highlighted the work of the Fuel Management Working Group who are a combination of members of the community, local CFA volunteers and various government departments.
Their work has identified areas where fuel management can have the best outcome in protecting the community.
This could be on public land or private properties. A number of residents attended the workshops and took away vital information to help them plan for the summer.
“The work you do managing fuel on your property, may also have impacts on neighbouring property and the wider community. It’s a shared responsibility,” said Mr Robinson.
Ms Porter said the Kalorama and Mt Dandenong area has a complex bushfire risk due to the intersection of public and private land, and the population density.
“Our road network intensifies this risk and attempting to leave the area after a bushfire has started will put lives at risk,” she said.
“You must plan, and if leaving, leave early”.
Further information on property preparation and bushfire planning can be found on the CFA Website or contact your local brigade for more advice and assistance.
