Much to the welcome relief of those living in semi-rural and rural areas, the last few years have been modest when it comes to bushfires during the hotter summer months. But with the dreaded El Nino rearing its ugly and unseasonably warm head during parts of winter and spring (the world recently experienced the hottest July in 120,000 years apparently), pundits are predicting a very hot and dry summer.

“The unusually hot weather we‘re seeing across south-east Australia at the moment is a warning of the kind of extremes we’re likely to see more of over the next few months,” said Dr Andrew King, Climate Science Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, when he spoke to news.com.au a short time ago.

With Victoria being one of the most fire-prone regions in the entire world, it’s incredibly important that those living in fire-prone areas take stringent measures when it comes to protecting your property from bushfires.

Have a fire plan

The most important thing you can do in preparation for the summer fire season is to have a detailed fire plan in place. But what exactly is a fire plan? A fire plan is essentially your blueprint for survival when any dangerous fires might be occurring around your property. Your fire plan should include answers to the following questions:

• Where will you go in the event of a fire and what route will you take to get there? Do you have an alternate route in place if the original route is too dangerous?
• What will you take with you in terms of essentials?
• What do you need to do to organise pets and livestock?
• Will you leave early in the morning or the night before possible dangerous fires?
• How will you stay informed of impending danger (radio, internet, apps, etc…)?
• What will be your plan if it is too dangerous to leave the property?

You can use the online tool https://fireplanner.vic.gov.au/ to get started.

Minimise your risk from surrounding nature

A large part of keeping your home safe during fire season is protecting it from the natural elements that surround it. Trees, plants, shrubs, and grass can become highly flammable materials during a dry summer, so maintaining these is incredibly essential. To help prevent fires from spreading to your home and property, you should:

• Prune any overhanging tree branches that might be touching any roofing or walls
• Keep grass short, and have it no longer than 10cm
• Remove any leaves, twigs, or dead and dry plants/shrubs from around your property
• Even the firewood you’ve collected over winter should be placed in a safe place (shed or storage room) so it is not a hazard

Burning off parts of your property that have unwanted grass, vegetation, weeds, and undergrowth is another great way to prevent any major fires on your property. Any burn-offs need to follow strict rules and regulations as enforced by the CFA. You’ll need to register your burn-off beforehand unless you want a visit from the CFA.

For more information on burn-offs, visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-to-prepare-your-property/burning-off.

Clean your gutters!

One of the major hazards when it comes to house fires during bushfire season is unclean gutters. Over autumn, winter, and spring, your gutters get filled with twigs and leaves, and come summer these twigs and leaves dry up and become tinder for any nearby flames. Make sure your gutters, downpipes, and drains are free of any debris. This can be done by yourself or a professional if you don’t feel safe getting up on a ladder or your roof.

Check your insurance

While having the right home and contents insurance won’t protect you from fire damage in summer, it’s important to know exactly what coverage you have in the event of bushfire damage to your home.

While most homes will be covered for fire damage under any standard homes and content insurance, bushfire damage is usually classified as a ‘Natural Disaster’, which means you might need another level of insurance to be fully covered.

Sit down and have a talk with your insurance company, agent, or broker, and get clarity on what coverage you have and what is the best plan for you.

Other necessary things you can do prior to fire season

• Test anything that is part of your fire plan including sprinklers and irrigation systems, pumps, generators, and safety equipment
• Replace or restore any damaged roof tiles, as embers can squeeze through gaps up to 1.8mm
• Get together with your neighbours and share your fire plans, so you can all work together if things get dangerous
• Install non-combustible materials on your property including fencing
• There are a number of apps that will keep you informed of bushfires in your area (e.g. VicEmergency app), while local radio is also a good source of information during fire season