The Alpine Shire is a high-risk bushfire area. It's crucial to understand the best way to protect your home, belongings, and those you care about before the fire season begins.
What is a bushfire?
Bushfires are a type of wildfire that burns through vegetation like woodland, scrubland, grassland, or savannahs. These fires are difficult to control and are particularly common in areas that experience hot, dry weather.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) is the control agency for fires on private land in Victoria. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is the control agency for fires on public land in Victoria.
When is a fire most likely to occur?
The CFA declares the Fire Danger Period for each fire district at different times leading up to the fire season. It depends on rain, grassland curing rate, and other local conditions.
In some districts, the Fire Danger Period may be declared as early as October and typically remains in place until the fire danger lessens, which could be as late as May.
Find out more about the fire risks in your local area by viewing the Fire Restriction Dates on the CFA website.
How do I prepare my property?
Being aware of potential fire hazards on your property lowers the risk of losing your home to a fire. Dry, organic matter, like grasses, overgrown trees, and leaves, can fuel the fire. Take time to assess your property. Things to avoid include stacking firewood near the house, allowing grass to become overgrown, or leaving gutters full of dry leaves.
The CFA website has valuable tools to support you in understanding your level of risk and planning and preparing for fires. For specific information on how to manage your property, view the CFA's How to Prepare Your Property guide.
There may be legal or planning compliance requirements to prepare your property in some instances. For example, if you’re building a house in the area or if you are issued a fire prevention notice.
What other planning do I need to do?
Leaving early is the safest option to protect yourself and your family. Leaving early means leaving the area before a fire starts – not when you can see flames or smell smoke.
Make plans for where you will go if you need to evacuate. The CFA – Bushfire Survival Plan guide and checklist is designed to give you a comprehensive fire plan.
Further preparation tips from Red Cross can assist with emergency planning.
Insurance
If you and your family were affected by an emergency, could you repair, replace or rebuild your most valued assets and possessions? Prepare financially in case an emergency impacts you before things go wrong. Learn more about insuring your belongings.
What does Council do to prepare?
We have developed a Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP) in partnership with other organisations to plan for emergencies in the Alpine Shire, including bushfires.
Fire Prevention Notices
We issue Fire Prevention Notices as deemed necessary to protect life and property from fire threats. The notice may be served to an owner or occupier of a property. Fire Prevention Notices may specify:
• Parts of the land or property that need to be treated
• Treatment methods for particular vegetation or material
• Construction of a fuel reduced area
• Positions of objects on the land that need to be altered.
Our Fire Prevention Notices fact sheet has more information about what to do if you receive a Fire Prevention Notice.
House fires
On average, there are 3,000 house fires in Victoria each year. Most could be prevented by taking simple precautions. House fires can occur at any time of the year and are more likely to devastate your home than a bushfire.
Find information on how to reduce fires in your home with the CFA.