Assistant chief fire officer for the CFA district two, Steve Alcock, said the floods may have topped up the groundwater, but offered did not offer and effective shield against bushfire risks.
“The floods have been a double edged sword,” he said.
“On one side the ground systems, the dirt is wet, and on the other side the top layer where the grasses are everything is starting to really dry out.
“We are getting hot days without much humidity and it is having an impact. The previous heavy rain has also promoted a lot of vegetation growth which can act as fire fuel.”
Innovative ideas to keep families safe during bushfires
Students from 10 SA primary schools have develived unique solutions - as part of a statewide pilot program - to help keep families and firefighters safe during future bushfires. Here are some of their ideas...
INOVATIVE IDEAS FOR EVERYONE
- A food rehydrate that can rehydrate any food that you want. The device is powered by a solar panel that can fit in your backpack.
- A solar powered laptop that doesn't need a charger. The device would hav a solar panel on the top of the screen and fans in the laptop so that it does over heat. It will also allow its users to make calls during an emergency - even if not connected to the internet.
- A bushfire bag that carries all of your evacuation needs. It holds a bottle on the side and comes with a solar panel and charging board on the front. The backpack has been designed in a bright colour so that it can be seen in the dark.
- The Brushomatic phone - a phone which doubles as a bushfire safety phone which senses fire threats around you. It will also hold information on what type of things to pack before evacuating.
- The fire friendly robot - a robot that will protect you and your house from bushfires all-year-round. It has an attached app that alerts you if a fire is nearby. It also has a camera, a temperature gauge and comes with a little backpack that has water, food, and a radio with calming music. It comes with a blanket and pillow, ready for you to take in case of an emergency. The robot can also spray water from its arms.
- The bushfire safety app - an app that controls water spinklers and also comes with a map advising of any nearby bushfires. It also lets you track family members and advise of nearby evacuation zones that are pet friendly.
- Bushfire-safe jewellery - A necklace or watch that could be worn by the eldery and other vulnerable residents in bushfire prone areas. Each item would come with a button, allowing the user to alert a relative or nominated person that they need help.
- Bushfire safe homes - a futuristic design which comes with a special fire-safe room for gas tanks, a trampoline to jump off the balcony (to escape the fire, of course), and water shooters.
INOVATIVE IDEAS FOR FIREFIGHTERS
- The fire reflective suit - a full-body suit that comes with an air filtration mask. The suit itself reflects heat and, according to its inventor, would be particularly helpful for people unable to leave their homes during a bushfire.
- The water mech suit - similar in design to Marvel's Iron Man suit, the invention sucks up water via pumps before being stored in tanks on the back. When there is a fire, the suit will start shooting water. It also has a radio to advise property owners if it is safe to return to their homes. The suit would be made out of fire-proof metal, meaning it can stand on its own in a fire and fight it.
- The water missile - a missile designed to explode water and clear big parts of water. It comes with a propeller to reach hard-to-get-to places and is navigated via a sensor.
- The multi-mode radio - a portable radio that gives you up-to-date bushfire news from all news sources. It also comes with a mini microwave at the back, as well as a mini phone.
- The bushfire drone - a drone that carries water and can access hard-to-get to places.
- A robotic fireman that could be sent into dangerous fire zones to protect the lives of volunteers. The robots would come with sirens and would also be able to carry water, meaning they could be deployed in more hard-to-get-to places.
INOVATIVE IDEAS TO KEEP ANIMALS SAFE
- Springs for Kangaroos so they can hop away faster. The springs would be attached on the animals back legs.
- The Guinea Pig Car - a remote controlled car, just big enough for your beloved pet, that can safely transport guinea pigs to safety during a bushfire. The inventor suggests that the car could also be modified to carry chickens.
- A reptile hotel - a purpose-built underground home for animals to "evacuate" to during a bushfire.
- Fire-proof backpacks for koalas - a backpack, designed similar to a car airbag, which will convert into a safety buble should the koala be engulfed by a fire.
- Fire retardant onesies for horses who have to be left behind during a bushfire.
INNOVATIVE IDEAS TO HELP WITH BUSHFIRE RECOVERY
- Temporary bird houses to help birds from being eaten after their homes were destroyed by bushfires.
- An essential oil trophy to help people sleep if they have a stuffy nose from all the smoke.
- The bushfire food truck - a truck or van dedicated to delivering food and other necessities to bushfire impacted families. It would serve as a one-stop-shop for donations and would be run with council support.
Recent hot and dry winds have significantly whipped up the risk of bushfires throughout regional Victorian areas.
Mr Alcock said residents should tidy up their properties while they still can.
“A lot of it comes down to garden maintenance and clearing your gutters and spouts of leaf litter and other debris,” he said.
“Your grass should be slashed to a level no higher than 100 millimetres and if you have gum trees mask sure you are raking up all of the leaves and disposing of them responsibly through composting or green bins.”
The CFA has a checklist on its website to help residents make their homes ready.
Mr Alcock said every home should have a fire plan.
