Time for blaze action

AS THE CFA prepares for what it expects to be the worst fire season yet, the City of Casey is urging residents to do the same.
They are invited to take part in Fire Action Week activities, running throughout Victoria from 11 to 18 October, to help people identify their risks, prepare their bushfire survival plan and start clearing their properties.
City of Casey mayor Geoff Ablett said it was vital residents started planning and preparing now.
“While weather conditions on Black Saturday were unprecedented, we live in one of the most fire-prone states in the world – amid 13 years of drought, climate change and dry conditions,” he said.
For Fire Action Week, the City of Casey urges residents and businesses to:
• Develop fire plans for their family, street/neighbourhood, and/or businesses;
• Decide if they’re going to stay to defend or if they will leave high-risk areas on days of sever fire danger;
• Know and understand the triggers for leaving before fire threatens, and plan where they will go;
• Identify work required around their properties and community areas;
• Clear vegetation and potential fuel from around their property;
• Attend a local fire safety community meeting and join a local CFA community Fireguard group.
The week will finish with a “Prepare to be Fire Ready” day on 18 October, which will prepare residents to get their properties ready for the fire season.