Public preparations for an expected challenging fire season will be brought into focus this weekend with CFA Get Fire Ready events to be held by many brigades throughout the Rural City of Wangaratta.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the Get Fire Ready initiative is about making sure people understand their fire risk, have a fire plan and know where to get emergency information from.

“Preparedness saves lives," he said.

“By getting fire ready now, communities can reduce their risk and respond quickly if fire threatens.

“Clearing gutters, mowing lawns, trimming branches, knowing where you’ll go if a fire breaks out and setting a watch zone in the VicEmergency app can make a real difference in an emergency.

“Our most recent bushfire survey shows that an alarming number of Victorians living in high-risk bushfire prone areas do not perceive bushfire to be a threat (story page 17).  

“Many still believe leaving early is not the best option, and would instead stay and protect their property, or wait until they feel threatened or receive advice.  

“Get Fire Ready is just that – getting communities ready for fire season, knowing what their risks are and how they can prepare.”

South Wangaratta CFA members are encouraging community members to attend their event at the fire station on the corner of Shanley Street and Warby Range Road this Saturday, 4 October.

“We’ll have members at the station from 9am to 5pm, but most of our activities will be focused from noon to 2pm,” brigade first lieutenant Tammy Thomas said.

“A lot of our current 40 active firefighters will be present to help share information to community members to help prepare for the fire season ahead.

“People will be able to do fire plans and take them home with them, while also enjoying a barbecue lunch.

“We’ll also have a lot of activities for children to enjoy as part of supporting the whole family to be prepared.”

Ms Thomas, who has been a brigade member for almost eight years, said there were already early signs of a challenging fire season ahead.

“In our area of South Wangaratta and the Warby Range we’re already seeing grass drying out and curing,” she said.

“We’re preparing to see more grass fires this season...potentially from lightening strikes or farm machinery.”

With a forecast of 28 degrees this Sunday, Ms Thomas said early warm weather and other seasonal conditions had the summer shaping up like the challenging 2019/2020 fire season.

Get Fire Ready events in the local area include:

Friday, 3 October , 10am to noon – CFA District 23 HQ in Ely Street

Saturday, 4 October, 9am to 5pm – South Wangaratta Fire Station

Saturday, 4 October, 11am to 2pm – Laceby West Fire Station

Saturday, 4 October, 9am to 3pm, Thoona Fire Station

Sunday, 5 October, 11am to 2pm – Wangaratta North Fire Station

Sunday, 5 October, 10am to 1pm – Bowmans-Murmungee Fire Station

Sunday, 5 October, 10am to noon, Lurg Fire Station

Sunday, 12 October, 9am to 12pm, Killawarra Fire Station

Saturday, 18 October, 9am to 12 noon, Eldorado CFA at Gunhouse Park

Monday, 27 October, 6pm to 8pm, Bowser Fire Station