Briagolong Strike Team
CFA is urging Victorians to begin their property preparation early, as this week marks the one-year anniversary of the large bushfires that broke out in Briagolong, Rawson and Loch Sport.
More than 220 fires were recorded across the Gippsland region from 1 October 2023, many resulting from the reignition of burn-offs or unattended campfires in the strong winds and hot weather that followed.
The fast-moving Briagolong fire that covered 5600 hectares in 24 hours has CFA Commander District 10 Ian Bounds calling for local community members to make sure they have a Bushfire Survival Plan in place ahead of the upcoming fire season.
“When we have fires that start in inaccessible terrain like those ones, it’s very hard to combat, but eventually they do come out and they will impact surrounding properties,” Ian said.
“So those properties that border on heavy bushland, they need to be particularly well prepared and have a plan in place, if and when those things do happen.”
Advice can be accessed through District CFA offices and your local brigades.
Ian said the key for locals this season is not leaving their preparation to the last minute.
“Conditions can change quickly as we move into summer so these types of events can occur with little notice and we’re expecting warmer days and nights over spring which, when coupled with seasonal rain, will promote vegetation growth,” he said.
“We’re asking people to get on top of preparing their property now, to maintain fuels on their property at a manageable level, move their firewood or flammable items away from their assets and residence, and to clean their gutters out.”
Since the fires, the impacted areas have encountered significant localised rainfall, and with the recent severe storms, further damage has occurred in the region, leading to the build up of dead vegetation on the ground.
“We’ve seen the flow on effect from the recent strong winds that we’ve had, with many fallen trees, which have been particularly problematic across the properties that have been affected,” he said.
“Tidying up those areas will be important. However, the regrowth within the environment is certainly there, and bushland areas are coming back well following the rain.
“Although we are still going to see some rainfall relative to normal spring conditions, we’ve still got some significant rainfall deficits in the landscape, so it won’t take long to dry out.”
The local brigades that span the region have been focusing on local response plans specific to their community ahead of the season.
“Post evaluation from those Gippsland fires last year, we’ve been looking at things we can improve on, and are focusing on communicating more with the local community,” he said.
While conditions are allowing for private burn-offs to be conducted before Fire Danger Period’s kick in, Ian reiterates the importance of taking extra precautions before lighting up.
“To avoid our local brigades unnecessarily responding to these managed fires, we ask that landowners register their burn-offs through the Fire Permits Victoria website and to take extra care,” he said.
“Have a look at the weather forecasts, not just for the day of burning, but those following and if you do have fire on your property, remain in attendance and have it fully extinguished before leaving.”