This summer’s bushfire season is expected to be more severe than usual, and people living near open grassland at Brimbank Park, Green Gully Reserve and along the Western Ring Road are particularly vulnerable.
Metropolitan Fire Brigade district operations commander for the western district Phillip Patterson said residents living near these open areas need to take extra precautions over the summer months.
“You can say what you like about climate change, but the reality that we’re dealing with is that the fire season is getting longer and more intense,” he said. “And we anticipate that this season will be one of the more severe.”
Brimbank’s five fire stations serve as work bases for about 150 officers, who attended 2510 calls for assistance, including 649 fires, in the municipality in the past financial year.
“There are many areas where we have housing merging onto grassland – there’s always a risk of fire on open land that could impinge on domestic properties,” he said.
“This is slightly difficult terrain to fight fires, so people whose property borders onto this land need to be especially vigilant to be sure that they’re prepared.”
Housekeeping
Mr Patterson said people should keep properties tidy, keep lawns mown and clear loose rubbish that could be fuel for a fire.
“Generally speaking, residents should be prepared, have an evacuation plan for their households, and make sure, of course, that there is a working smoke alarm in every house.”
Brimbank council issued 779 fire hazard reduction notices in the past financial year – mostly at Derrimut, Sunshine North and Deer Park – requiring flammable materials to be removed from properties.
Mr Patterson said the MFB expects more significant fire danger days this season. He expects the season will also be longer than normal – possibly stretching into April.
