Many Melburnians have left the city behind and embraced everything our regional areas have to offer in recent years, but CFA is urging our tree changers to ensure they’re fire ready.

According to the Regional Movers Index migration from Australia’s capital cities to the regions has remained high since the pandemic and in the quarter ending 30 June 2025, Melburnians made up 35 percent of all Australians moving to regional areas.

The slower pace of life, access to nature, and close communities are all among the benefits of making a tree change however, one of the risks is not being prepared for fires.

With forecasts pointing towards a challenging fire season across many parts of Victoria and with recent research showing concerning levels of complacency, CFA is urging especially those that may have never had to prepare before to start clearing their properties.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said fire safety is everyone’s responsibility.

“We can’t have a truck in every driveway,” he said.

“By doing things now like clearing your gutters, pruning trees, moving woodpiles, and mowing grass you really help our firefighters but you also give yourself and your property the best chance for survival.

“Our recent bushfire community survey found that 85 per cent of residents in high-risk bushfire areas still don’t have a written bushfire survival plan, and 50 per cent perceived the threat of bushfire to be small or very small.

“That complacency is concerning, especially with forecasts pointing to a challenging fire season across many parts of Victoria.”

Take the following actions to prepare yourself and your property: 

• Move your winter woodpile away from the house or sheds. 

• Prune tree branches so they are not overhanging the roof or touching walls. 

• Clear your gutters. 

• Keep grass shorter than 10cm.  

• Remove leaves and twigs from around your property. 

• Test anything that is part of your fire plan such as sprinklers, pumps and generators. 

• Register your burn off. The quickest and easiest way is by visiting the Fire Permits Victoria website at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify, or call Triple Zero Victoria on 1800 688 511. 

• Make sure your household has a bushfire plan. Find out how at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/bushfireplan. 

Find out more by visiting cfa.vic.gov.au/about-us/cfa-events/get-fire-ready.