The Country Fire Authority and the Department of Sustainability & Environment have removed Fire Restrictions (Fire Danger Period and Prohibited Period respectively) for all private land within different municipalities. The Fire Restriction Period ceased in the City of Maroondah at 1am on Monday 22 March 2010.
The best defence against fire is to prepare for the possibility during the off season. It is never too late to be aware of the issues and to put in place some very simple processes for minimising the danger.
- Clean up your property — cut long grass and remove scrub to reduce available fuel; stack fire wood away from the home; clean gutters of leaf matter.
- Ensure hoses and tap fittings are in good working order and placed to maximise use during a fire warning.
- Develop a family action plan - what to do on a total fire ban day, what your family will do in the event of fire, who contacts who, who looks after pets etc.
During a fire alert:
- Listen to national radio 3LO (774AM) and local radio station Eastern FM (98.1FM).
- Activate your family action plan
- Prepare - get hoses ready, fill gutters with water, pack precious items
- Listen for police or emergency services evacuation warnings.
Your Council, working to reduce fire danger, runs a number of strategies:
- an ongoing program of cleanup and fuel reduction in parks and bushland reserves.
- crews regularly patrol bushland and reserves to assess risk and monitor the build up of fuel and undergrowth. These teams will also undertake the removal of fallen branches, rubbish and dry leaves and cut long grass.
Information on developing a family action plan is available from the Country Fire Authority Regional Headquarters, Lilydale on 8739 1300 or the Community Education Department of the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board on 9665 4464.
Council’s Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP) details how Council prepares for and manages fire risks within the community.
To report a fire emergency call 000 and ask for the fire brigade.
