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Plan now for fire By Derek Schlennstedt The CFA is warning of a long, dry fire season and is urging Yarra Ranges residents to start planning now. With parts of NSW already affected by bushfire, indicators suggest the fire danger period might be declared earlier this year, as conditions point to a dangerous summer. The warning comes after Victoria experienced its driest winter since 2006, and Emergency Services Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, said the bushfire risk would now depend upon the rainfall Victoria received in spring. “The severity of the fire season will depend on a number of factors, including the amount, location and timing of rain in the months leading up to summer,” Commissioner Lapsley said. “The early forecast shows there is underlying dryness in some areas of the state, particularly across central parts of Victoria and across the east. “While there is a lot of surface water, which means there will be grass growth and a healthy supply of water for crop growing, ground moisture has the potential to dry out quickly under dry and warm conditions. “The level of risk ... will still depend on how much spring rain there is in September.” Summer season preparations across the Yarra Ranges are already well underway, with local brigades and agencies undertaking planned burns. District 13 Operations Manager, Don Tomkins shared Commissioner Lapsley’s concerns and said that even despite recent rain, residents across the region lived in a fire-prone area and therefore should always be prepared for the summer fire season. “The information that we’ve been given indicates that we could potentially have an earlier fire season than traditional times, however we do live in a fire-prone area so it is about be-
ing prepared - there will be a fire season in some shape or form," he said. “Fire agencies are already going into planned burning phases and obviously while we do this, private landowners also need to take responsibility and clean up their land.” Though preparations may not completely prevent fires from occurring, improvements in facilities by the government ensures fires are extinguished as soon as they are reported to fire services. Mr Tomkins said one of the most pleasing aspects of this year’s fire season preparations had been the Victorian Government investment in fire-fighting aircraft. Overall, 49 aircraft will be on hand this fire season, including two large air tankers and two orange air-cranes - similar to the existing ‘Elvis’ Erickson aircranes - will be part of the $13.42 million fleet lease this year. “The biggest aircraft fleet we’ve seen, with more aircraft than previous seasons,” Mr Tomkins said. “It’s certainly beneficial ... aircraft can be dispatched at a certain trigger mark together with the brigade to get in there early, and hopefully assist us in getting on top of the fire early.” With fire services playing their part to reduce fuel loads, Mr Tomkins said the onus was now on residents and said it was important for communities to work together and help one another and utilise the information available to them via the CFA websites and apps. “We know there will be a fire season and it’s making sure we are all prepared,” he said. “You can approach local brigades or our community safety department - our district can provide a lot of information to enable people to become prepared for the forthcoming fire season.”
Billy-carts are a go ... go, go! Students at Silvan Primary School recently held their STEAM (Science Tech Engineering Arts Maths) day, showing off their fantastic, innovative work they’ve completed over the school term. Through the initiative, the students were required to put on their thinking caps and switch to top gear. Pictured are tech-savvy students Picture: ROB CAREW Rekik and Tara with their rather speedy creation. 172893
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