MALLEE residents are being asked to stay vigilant this fire season despite a La Nina weather event being declared in the lead-up to summer.
CFA deputy chief officer for north west Gavin Thompson took part in the incident management team preparedness briefing for the Loddon Mallee region, which each year “kicks off the fire season”.
Mr Thompson said although the fire season would be a bit later than normal, people needed to be warned the high levels of rain across the region in recent months could lead to healthy crops and increased fuel loads.
He said this could be the perfect storm for major grassfires.
“We know fuel loads dry out quickly at the northern end of the region, so we are prepared for a grassfire-dominated start to the fire season across the Loddon Mallee,” he said.
Parks Victoria, State Emergency Service, Mildura Rural City Council, Fire Rescue Victoria, Victoria Police and Bushfire Recovery Victoria were some of the groups that took part in the briefing.
Alongside discussions regarding predicted weather patterns, it focused on Victoria removing their old fire danger rating system and instead adopting the national system.
This changes the six possible fire danger levels to just four.
The new levels are now moderate (plan and prepare), high (prepare to act), extreme (take action now to protect your life and property) and catastrophic (for your survival, leave bush fire risk areas).
Mr Thompson said CFA volunteers were getting ready for the summer ahead.
“They’re gearing up now with their pre-season preparation and making sure they are well and truly prepared for the summer when it eventually arrives,” he said.
Mr Thompson said that while his team waits for fire season they were probably going to be gearing up to help their sister organisation SES with floods in the near future.
Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Ken Block said summer season preparedness is a shared responsibility between the emergency management sector and the Victorian community.
“We are working alongside our emergency service colleagues to undertake significant planning and preparedness activities to ensure that we are ready to respond to all emergency incidents this fire season, however it is important Victorians do their part too,” Mr Block said.
