Residents encouraged to prepare now for the fire season
TL;DR
Gannawarra Shire residents are encouraged to spend the next three to four weeks reducing fire risks on their properties.
Location
Gannawarra
Residents encouraged to prepare now for the fire season
Gannawarra Shire residents are encouraged to spend the next three to four weeks reducing fire risks on their properties.
Council and other agencies will spend the weeks leading up to the declaration of the Fire Danger Period reducing fire risks on public and private land, with residents reminded that they also play a critical role in these efforts.
"Conditions throughout the Gannawarra are ideal for an increased fire risk, with a wet winter providing the right conditions for vegetation growth," Council Chief Executive Officer Geoff Rollinson said.
"Warmer conditions during September and October will dry out this additional growth, resulting in dry, overgrown weeds that could ignite easily."
As part of Council's commitment to reducing Gannawarra's fire risk, staff will spend the next four to six weeks reducing vegetation growth along Council-managed sealed roads and at Council-managed properties. Weeds growing along Council-managed roadsides will also be sprayed.
Council will soon begin its annual fire hazard inspections. Residents are encouraged to check their properties now and complete any necessary works to remove potential fire hazards. Getting your property fire-ready early will help protect your home, your neighbours and the wider community, and may avoid the need for Council to issue a Fire Prevention Notice.
"You can never anticipate when a fire is going to occur, so whether you live in a farming area or a residential street, it is important to plan ahead and be ready for the fire season," Mr Rollinson said.
"Residents of large properties or farms can employ measures such as removing excess weeds and dry grass, maintaining firebreaks, ensuring proper haystack storage and heat monitoring, installing firefighting equipment, and putting a fire plan in place, particularly for the management of livestock.
"Residents of smaller properties can prepare for the fire season by clearing debris from gutters, removing overhanging branches and wood stacks from around their homes, and having an emergency evacuation plan in place, along with appropriate fire protection and firefighting equipment."
For more information regarding fire management within Gannawarra Shire, please visit
www.gsc.vic.gov.au/fires
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