CFA data reveals Victorians are complacent about bushfires

Firefighters are warning Yarra Ranges residents not to underestimate the risk of bushfires, after data reveals the community is becoming complacent.

Upper Ferntree Gully CFA captain Peter Smith is warning people not to be complacent this bushfire season. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Firefighters are warning Yarra Ranges residents not to underestimate the risk of bushfires, after data reveals the community is becoming complacent.

Upper Ferntree Gully CFA captain Peter Smith urged the community of Knox and the Dandenong Ranges to not only clean up their own properties but help out neighbours.

This comes as a CFA survey revealed more than half of Victorian’s live in areas of high bushfire risk.

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The data also showed 52 per cent of those who responded considered the risk moderate, minor or non-existent.

While a third said they would only leave when a fire threatened their town or suburb rather than the morning or night before a day of extreme fire danger.

Mr Smith said while Upwey and Upper Ferntree Gully were popular areas to live, many newer residents were not aware of the fire danger.

“Many are unaware of the situation and that we have a hell of a lot of forest and national parks surrounding us — we’re bordered by Lysterfield and the Dandenong Ranges National parks,” he said.

Yarra Glen properties after the Black Saturday firestorm.

He said the community had become complacent because there had not been fires for a few years and the hills were a prime place for a fire.

“We’re going through a green drought where the top of the grass is green but everything underneath is dry,” Mr Smith said.

He said not only did property owners need to make sure their own property was cleared but also talk to neighbours and offer to help them prepare.

Mr Smith said a fire plan needed to include possible routes out of the hills, other than the main roads — Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd and Burwood Highway — which quickly became clogged on Black Saturday.

CFA acting chief officer Stephanie Rotarangi said residents underestimating bushfire risk, or who left it too late to leave were risking their safety.

“It’s important to get your head around what the real risk is to you and your friends and family, how to minimise it and what to do when there is a bushfire emergency,” Ms Rotarangi said.

“People need a plan; exactly what are you going to do for your family, for your kids, your partner or parents, your loved ones, pets, other animals if a fire occurs and a fire truck may not be able to get there? Start having the conversations now.”

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