The captain of Little River CFA has warned residents to be prepared for the upcoming fire season.
The call came as CFA members responded to a grass fire in Little River last Wednesday afternoon and another in Mount Cottrell on Thursday.
Terry Hedt said six tankers responded to the fire at Little River, which had been started by a campfire that was not properly extinguished.
The Mount Cottrell fire is believed to have started when a mulch pile combusted in the heat. Both fires were extinguished by the CFA crews.
Mr Hedt said there is a range of measures residents need to take in the lead-up to summer.
“People need to keep the length of their grass down, and get rid of any flammable timber and wood that is stacked around houses,” he said.
“We’ve got no hope of saving houses if you’ve got that sort of stuff lying around.”
It is important for owners of rural and semi-rural properties to keep their homes accessible, he said, to ensure trucks can get onto and around properties in the event of a fire.
“Keep an eye on weather reports and fire apps to ensure you are prepared for possible fires,” Mr Hedt said. “Preparation is the key.”
“If a fire starts, you’ve got to get out and get out quick. Grass fires are different to bush fires. They travel a lot quicker. In these grassland situations, fires can travel at around 12 to 15 kilometres an hour, especially on a windy day.
“It is important to have a fire plan in place.”
