Wyndham landowners are being urged to take preventive action now, with the municipality identified as a high-risk area ahead of the fire season.
CFA western metropolitan community safety manager David Allen said households on the urban fringe faced the biggest risk.
He said a wet winter and warm spring had fuelled the growth of large areas of long grass adjoining residential estates, posing a similar danger as seen in a fire at Donnybrook and Epping on January 18 that burnt more than 2000 hectares in a few hours.
Mr Allen said ‘buffer zones’ – fire breaks involving ploughing areas, slashing grass or burning vegetation – were being established in Wyndham’s high-risk areas. Aircraft would be on call to service any area deemed too difficult to get ground crews into.
Little River CFA captain Terry Hedt said the brigade was preparing for another hectic fire season after experiencing its busiest summer for “many, many years” earlier this year. Mr Hedt urged residents to clear their properties of long grass and other potential fuel.
