The Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2017 shows the southern fire season is likely to commence earlier and be more active than usual due to a warmer a warm, dry winter and forecasts of a hot summer.
Chief Officer Steve Warrington said CFA was working alongside fellow emergency services to ensure Victorians were prepared for whatever the season may bring.
“The outlook suggests that we could be looking at the commencement of a fire season as early as October,” said Mr Warrington.
“Along with our emergency management counterparts, fire season preparations are well underway.
“CFA have, along with Forest Fire Management Victoria, brought forward the planned burning program.
“We are checking staging areas and landing sites for aircrafts across districts as well as providing training on hazardous trees and encouraging our firefighters to do burn over drills.
“We’re confident that our people are ready to fulfil their important duty- protecting lives and property.
“We are preparing our people across the organisation so come October we will be ready to go.”
Fire season preparedness has been strengthened with the announcement of $13.42 million dollar funding boost from the state government which will deliver Victoria’s largest ever firefighting fleet.
For more information on the Southern Australia Bushfire Outlook 2017 visit: http://ow.ly/QCXX30euOHz
Author: CFA Media