Prepare your home and property

Prepare your home and property all year-round, but prioritise maintenance during the Fire Danger Season.

It's crucial to prepare your property before the season starts and consistently maintain it during this period. Focus on reducing vegetation, fuel, and undergrowth around your property, a key element in fire prevention and preparedness. And, stay informed by monitoring daily fire danger ratings with the Australian Fire Danger Rating System.

Our Fire Prevention Officers conduct routine inspections leading up to and during the Fire Danger Season. If a property has excessive vegetation posing an increased fire risk, formal notices may require specific actions.

Here's how to prepare for the Fire Danger Season:

1. Vegetation Management:

• Reduce, remove, and maintain vegetation within 20 meters of your home and 5 meters of sheds and garages to minimise fire spread.
• Regularly mow and maintain long grass and undergrowth.
• Remove fire fuels like accumulated branches and leaves.

2. Tree and Shrub Care:

• Prune overhanging branches and lower limbs near your house to create a vertical break.
• On larger properties, graze paddocks to reduce fuel load and create fire breaks.

3. Gutter Maintenance:

• Keep gutters clean and free of accumulated vegetation or debris.

4. Fireproof Surroundings:

• Consider potential fire hazards such as garden beds, mulches, timber decks, grasses, and doormats that could trap sparks or embers.
• Ensure an independent and reliable water supply not reliant on mains water or power.

5. Stay Informed:

• Monitor local conditions and daily fire danger ratings.
• Understand local Bushfire Safer Places to take shelter from if a fire were to break out.

Visit the CFS website for more detailed information on preparing your property and staying safe during the Fire Danger Season.