Fire Ready

Bushfires are a major risk threatening life and property in Victoria. There are a number of ways you can prepare your family and property to minimise a bushfire's impact and give you peace of mind throughout the fire season.

Know your risk and create a plan

When fires do occur, they present a major risk and threat to life and property within the Glenelg Shire. Information on understanding fire risk in your environment can be found at the CFA Website - Am I at Risk?

It's important to prepare and practice your own home emergency plans, have a go - bag ready, and know where you will get reliable information during the event of a fire. Plan what choices you will make if a fire breaks out near your home. Know your triggers when to leave, where you will go and how to safely get there. Your plans should include your pets, horses and other livestock. Being prepared is a critical step in being ready. The CFA has some key tips to help you plan for a bushfire event as well as many helpful publications to help you prepare, including the Fire Ready Kit. 

The VicEmergency website has a wealth of resources to help you understand your fire risk and know what to do before and during a fire. 

Fire Danger Ratings

Fire Danger Ratings tell you how dangerous a fire could be if one started. This Fire Danger Rating system is in use across Australia so whether you are at home or travelling the system is consistent across the nation.

For more information please visit the CFA website

For more information on Fire Danger Ratings Click here

 

Fire Danger Ratings

 

Disruption to Council Services on a designated Catastrophic Fire Danger Day.

Catastrophic rating days may have an effect on some Council services with schools, kindergartens and pre-schools in some high risk areas closing for the duration of the period. Transfer stations will be closed on Catastrophic Days with the exception of the Portland transfer station. Home and Community Care services will be unable to be delivered in high risk areas. The type of works that can be safely carried out by either Roadworks or the Parks and Gardens Units will be limited. 

 

Bush Fire Place of Last Resort - Neighbourhood Safer Place 

Glenelg Shire Council has designated a number of locations as Neighbourhood Safer Places.

It does not provide the same level of protection as a well-constructed defendable home, private or neighbourhood bushfire shelter or a community fire refuge.

It is a place to go when all other bushfire plans have failed.

 

 

Bushfire Plan

It is vital that you have prepared a bushfire plan before the start of the bushfire season. The CFA has some key tips to help you plan for a bushfire event, as well as a Bushfire Survival Planning Template.

 

Total Fire Bans

Total Fire Ban is declared by CFA on days when fires are likely to spread rapidly and could be difficult to control. If a district has not been declared a Total Fire Ban, fire restrictions may still apply for each municipality. Total Fire Bans are normally declared by 5pm on the day before a ban but can be declared or revoked at any time. Always check for the latest updates.

See what you can and can’t do on days of Total Fire Ban visit the CFA.

 

Preparing your Residential Property

Property owners must reduce their fuel load and maintain their land to general standards, or any standard prescribed in a Fire Prevention Notice, for the duration of the declared Fire Danger Period for Glenelg Shire Council.

Refer to the Fire Prevention Page for further information and fire prevention tips..

 

Preparing your Rural Property

Dry grass ignites easily and grass fires move very quickly, especially in windy conditions. Taller grass will have a higher flame height, and a fire in shorter mown or grazed grass will be less intense.

Refer to the Fire Prevention Page for further information.

 

Smoke

Smoke is a very dangerous part of any bushfire event. It is important to know what to do if you are confronted by large quantities of smoke.

 

Health advice for bushfire smoke

 

Staying safe in the car during a bushfire

 

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