The objectives of Fire Action Week are to raise awareness of bush and grassfire risk in the community and the need for effective planning and preparation before summer begins. Fire Action Week prompts Victorians to find out more about fire risk where they live, to assist them in preparing their property and to help them decide well in advance about what they'll do if a fire starts.
The week also signals the start of the annual Summer Fire Campaign, which, in partnership with emergency services runs through to the end of February 2017.
Fire Action Week is a great opportunity to find out more about fire risk where you live, to prepare your property and decide well in advance about what you'll do if a fire starts.
Last summer, Victoria experienced an early start to the season with significant fires in October and November, followed by the Wye River/Separation Creek fire in late December 2015. Across the entire season, there were 21 Total Fire Ban days, punctuated by Extreme Fire Danger conditions forecast over five days. In total, Victoria’s emergency services responded to over 4,500 bush and grassfires, resulting in 28,000 hectares burnt and the loss of 145 homes.
This year, forecasts show there is potential for an above average fire season with the prospect of escalating fire behaviour later in summer due to higher temperatures in spring drying out high risk areas.
Over the summer months, you'll see fire safety messages promoted through television, radio, press, outdoor and digital advertisements, as well as through social media channels.
The purpose of these messages is to prompt Victorians to understand their local risk, talk to their family or household about how to stay safe, and to encourage communities to take responsibility for their own safety.
CFA brigades around the state will also be talking to their communities about the local fire risk, how to prepare, and what to do to stay safe over summer.
This Fire Action Week, follow some simple planning and preparation tips to make sure you're ready for the upcoming summer:
- Check the fire risk where you live.
- Download the FireReady/VicEmergency app to your mobile device.
- Start checking Fire Danger Ratings
- Check warnings – make sure you understand the three levels of warnings and what they mean.
- Pack an emergency kit of essentials. This should include important documents, medications, a mobile phone, torch, battery operated radio, money and clothes so you can leave easily before a fire starts.
- Talk to your household and neighbours about how you'll know when to leave and where to go to stay safe.
- Do you have family, friends or neighbours who need help preparing to leave early? Talk to them about when they're going to leave, where they're going to go, and how you can help.
- Be prepared for power failure in extreme weather conditions. Read the Power Outage Guide.
For more information on how to get prepared, visit the VicEmergency website.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Right now, forecasts show that there is potential for an above average fire season in Victoria
- Fire Action Week is a great time to increase your understanding of the fire risk where you live, prepare your property, and talk to your household about what you’ll do if a fire starts
- Making informed decisions now is vital to your safety during a fire this summer. Now is the best time to understand your fire risk and get prepared, not when a fire starts
- This week, talk to your family, friends and neighbours about the fire risk where you live and make plans for what you’ll do on hot, dry, windy days
- Make sure you know where to check Fire Danger Ratings. Over summer, you’ll need to check the ratings daily to understand the fire risk in your area. Remember, as ratings increase, so does your risk of fire
- Last summer there were over 2,000 warnings issued in Victoria. It’s up to you to stay informed by using more than one source of information, and understand the levels of warnings, what they mean and what you should do
- This summer, on hot, dry, windy days, fires will start and spread quickly. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to leave early
- If you live in an urban area near grasslands, move at least two streets back if a fire starts. If you live two streets back, stay inside and shelter
- In the lead-up to summer, CFA brigades around the state are getting out and about in their community to talk about preparing for fire. You can check vic.gov.au/events for information on what’s happening in your local area
