Hills in ‘severe’ danger

BELGRAVE CFA Captain Phil Keep is warning Hills people to prepare for a severe fire season this summer.
People should start planning now to make the decision to stay and fight or leave early in the event of a bushfire, he says.
Captain Keep believes that 10 years of below average rainfall has caused forest conditions and dryness to become extreme.
“As a result we can expect fire behaviour to be erratic and fast-moving unless there is a change in the climatic conditions,” he said.
He said the key to surviving a bushfire was for people to make a plan and arm themselves with the knowledge they needed to stay and fight – or leave early.
The CFA is at present conducting its Fire Ready Victoria program, a series of informal meetings aimed at providing people in high-risk areas such as the Dandenong Ranges with information and advice on fire survival.
Capt Keep urged people to attend one of the fire-ready meetings and make a plan.
“Our message is that people need to become self-reliant and work together on fire matters,” he said.
“We are prepared to work with residents and help them develop their fire plans.
“People need to understand that in the event of a major bushfire, the CFA volunteers will be doing their best, but you can’t expect a fire truck at every house or in every street.”
For more information about bushfire safety or to find out where the nearest Fire Ready Victoria session will be held, contact the CFA Yarra area office on 8739 1300.