CFA survey reveals many dismiss fire risk to their homes
The CFA fire danger period has started. But almost a decade since Black Saturday, alarming new research shows half of those in high bushfire-prone areas don’t think they are at serious risk.
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Alarming new research shows half of Victorians living in high-bushfire prone areas don’t think the fire risk to their home is serious.
The CFA’s Bushfire Community Survey revealed 52 per cent of respondents considered the risk moderate, minor or non-existent.
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Worryingly, a third said they would only leave when a fire threatened their town or suburb rather than the morning of, or night before, a day of extreme fire danger.
With the fire danger period officially kicking off in Manningham today, CFA acting chief officer Stephanie Rotarangi said Victorians who underestimated the risk or who left it too late to leave were risking the safety of themselves and their families.
CFA District 13 acting operations manager Tim Holland said the seasonal bushfire outlook for southern Australia suggested the fire season in Victoria would start earlier than usual and be more active than normal due to warmer and drier conditions.
“The warmer and drier than average weather over winter and the recent months as well as below average rainfall means residents need to be prepared for the imminent fire season,” Mr Holland said.
“Reducing the amount of available fuel around your property will help that if a fire does occur, it has less chance of taking hold and spreading.”
Officer-in-charge at South Warrandyte CFA Matt Hirst urged residents to clean up their properties now and have a plan in place for high-fire risk days.
During the fire danger period fires cannot be lit in the open air without a written permit from CFA or a Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.
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