As we come into summer and what we know will be a challenging fire season, I am urging all Victorians to have a fire plan and know where to get emergency information from.
Two significant fires have already taken place in the Wimmera and Otways this Spring and the summer seasonal outlook shows there is an increased fire risk for most of the west, southwest, northeast, Greater Melbourne and southwestern parts of Gippsland including the Mornington Peninsula.
In the west and southwest of Victoria there has been limited rainfall for the last 18 months that has resulted in a substantial amount of dead and dry plant material within forests, making it easier for fires to start and spread.
Grasslands in the areas with a heightened risk have superficial green on top that conceals underlying dryness, meaning grassland curing is likely to start earlier than normal. In the other parts of Victoria the fire risk is expected to be normal and we will continue to monitor these areas to identify any significant changes to fire risk.
CFA is ready to protect our communities, as we do every year and has been working with our Victorian emergency service partners to prepare for fire season.
Fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and the community.
We’re asking all Victorians in high-risk areas to take simple actions to prepare their family and property as the weather begins to warm.
On hot, dry, windy days, fires can start and spread quickly. If the Fire Danger Rating is
Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early before a fire has started is the safest option.
Never wait for an official warning before you leave, as you may not get one. Fires can
start quickly and threaten homes and lives within minutes. Make sure you have a plan.
If you wait and decide to leave after a fire has started, you risk driving your family through
thick smoke, fallen trees and power lines, and face the danger of collisions, being trapped
by fire, serious injury or death.
Stay informed by downloading the VicEmergency app to stay across incidents and fire danger ratings in your area.