By Callum Ludwig
Upper Yarra residents are advised to be wary of fire danger ratings and fire hazards despite summer coming to an end after a large grassfire in Wandin.
The fire started in a paddock and is believed to have been caused by the grass slasher attached to a tractor.
1st Lieutenant at the Wandin Fire Brigade Darryn Goss said that it is a timely reminder for people to remain careful of fire danger and what they should do to be prepared, such as ensuring they carry a required nine litre extinguisher on tractors whilst undertaking works.
“We still have warm and dry conditions ahead so don’t become complacent. There is a lot of readily accessible information on the CFA website under Plan and Prepare, if you are not sure what you can do around your home to give you the best possible chance of survival,” he said.
“Luckily no persons or animals were injured. Multiple horses were moved paddocks upon our arrival to the fire by the owners.”
Despite cooler and wetter weather being expected, CFA warns dry undergrowth of grass or forestry areas are of concern and residents should refresh themselves on their local council regulations in regards to what they should do in fire danger periods.
The fire was the first of two on Sunday 27 February in the Yarra Ranges area, with a property fire also recorded in Mooroolbark shortly after, VicEmergency also issued an alert for a fire by Woods Point Rd in Warburton on Monday.
For residents with larger properties, particularly with bushed areas or dry grassland, the Wandin Fire Brigade provided a list of precautions that can be undertaken to reduce risks of fire danger:
– Ensure that emergency services have adequate access to be able to get a fire appliance as close as possible to the majority of areas.
– Have a plan and practice it so if that day happens you know what you have to do and give you and your animals the best possible chance.
– Create a heavily grazed area where stock can be moved during a bushfire. This could be a grazed or green paddock or a laneway, with access to water.
– Consider having a central laneway to assist moving stock before a fire threatens.
– Identify a possible containment area where stock can be fed after a fire. In addition to containing stock, this also reduces the risk of weed spread across the property following a fire.
– Consider a mineral earth break around paddocks to try and stop or slow the spread of fire.
Throughout the pandemic, CFA volunteers have been continuing to meet for online and essential in-person training where possible to ensure they are well-drilled and prepared to tackle fires, and brigades and agencies are always on alert to assist each other to ensure the best possible outcome they can.
