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Fire prevention

Victoria is one of the most fire prone areas in the world. It is important to understand the bushfire risk of your area, and that leaving early before a bushfire starts is the only guarantee of survival.

For information on current emergencies and warnings, please visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au. For information on the fire danger ratings our area (North Central), dates of community meetings, Community Information Guides, and Neighbourhood Safer Places - Places of Last Resort, please visit the CFA website: www.cfa.vic.gov.au. 


Learn about your bushfire survival options.
CFA Fire Danger Ratings Sign
Fire Danger Ratings

The Fire Danger Rating predicts how a fire would behave if one started, including how difficult it would be to put out.

The higher the rating, the more dangerous the conditions.

More information about what the ratings mean (and what you should do) is available on the CFA website.
The rating is your trigger to act, so to stay safe you need to stay aware of the Fire Danger Rating in your district.

During the fire season, the Fire Danger Rating will feature in weather forecasts and be broadcast on radio and television, and appear in some newspapers.

It can also be found on the CFA, Department of Sustainability and Environment, and Bureau of Meterology websites. Alternatively, you can call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.
Wildfire / Bushfire Planning

Your plan should include what you and your family will do on days of high fire risk (such as Severe, Extreme and Code Red rated days). If your plan is to leave you need to consider:
  • When you will leave
  • Where you will go
  • How you will get there
  • What you will take with you
  • What you will do with your pets
Make sure that you:
  • Take into consideration a variety of scenarios (such as plans for fire risk during working or school versus those for weekends or school holidays)
  • Consider plans for more than one day / night away
  • Tell friends and family about your plan so everyone knows what to expect
If your plan is to leave on a fire risk day, leaving the night before or early in the day (before any fires break out) is your safest option.

 
Clean Up Your Property
  • Keep grass cut
  • Clean leaves out of gutters
  • Remove dead undergrowth and fallen branches
  • Reduce fine fuels such as long, dry grass, fallen leaves and twigs from around your house
  • Check for potential fire hazards
  • Clear the perimeter around the stacked firewood
  • Household junk stored under carports or eaves
  • Remove pot plants / hanging baskets
  • Trim bushes and vines adjoining or on the house
  • Check surrounding structures such as decks and pergolas
  • Store away garden furniture

Did you know?

In partnership with local CFA brigades, Council conducts annual inspections to identify properties that could become a fire hazard, and may issue a Fire Prevention Notice.

Fine fuels such as fallen leaves and branches, long dry grass, weeds and some shrubs that are 6mm in diameter or less are the most common hazard. These can act as kindling for a fire by providing easy ignition and allowing it to spread easily.

If the Fire Prevention Notice is not complied with, costs associated with Council undertaking clearing works will be incurred along with the possibility of an infringement notice being issued.

Bushfire Neighbourhood Safer Place Sign
Neighbourhood Safer Places

Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSPs) are places of last resort when all other bushfire plans have failed.
We’ve been working with CFA to identify NSPs in our shire. The places currently designated as NSPs are:
  • Campbells Creek Community Centre, corner of Elizabeth Street and Cemetery Road
  • Castlemaine Western Reserve, corner of Forest Street (Pyrenees Highway) and Hargraves Street
  • Guildford Recreation Reserve, Templeton Street
  • Maldon Recreation Reserve – Football Oval and Netball Pavilion, Francis Street
  • Newstead Community Centre, 9 Lyons Street (Pyrenees Highway)
  • Taradale Public Hall, corner of High Street (Calder Highway) and De La Beche Street
Important things to know about NSPs

Designated NSPs are a place of last resort that may be used during passage of a bushfire. Whilst a NSP may offer some protection from bushfire, the safety of those who assemble at them is not guaranteed.
Before deciding to head towards, enter, or use a NSP in the event of a bushfire please be aware that:
  • Many houses will provide better protection than a NSP
  • Travelling to a NSP when there is a bushfire can be extremely dangerous. There is no guarantee that you will be safe doing so
  • NSPs may not prevent death or injury from fire, embers or radiant heat
  • NSPs should only be used when your bushfire plans have failed or cannot be implemented
  • NSPs have only limited capacity
  • There is no guarantee that the CFA or any other authority will be present at a NSP
  • No facilities are provided for people with special needs, including those requiring medical attention
  • NSPs may be uncomfortable and no amenities such as food and drinks will be provided
  • There is no provision for animals
More information about NSPs can be found at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or by contacting the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.
Township Protection Plans 

Township Protection Plans (TPPs) for the townships of Castlemaine, Chewton, Fryerstown, and Newstead have been developed for the 2011-12 bushfire season. Please visit the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au to obtain the latest versions.

Did you know?

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) conducts planned burns to protect life, property and the environment, by reducing fuel levels and maintaining the health of plants and animals.

DSE considers a number of factors when selecting the most suitable time to light a planned burn, such as the amount, type, and moisture or fuel, the type of landscape, and the weather.

To find out more about planned burns visit www.dse.vic.gov.au or download the FireReady app.

Other Resources

You can request:
  • A free visit from CFA’s Home Bushfire Advice Service, which offers personalised, tailored advice delivered at your property by trained fire experts
You can attend / join:
  • CFA Community Meetings, which are designed to raise awareness of wildfire risk
  • CFA's Community Fire Guard, which is a free fire safety education and planning program
You can utilise:
  • The CFA Fire Ready Kit, which is designed to help you understand your risk, prepare your property, and develop a survival plan
  • The Australian Red Cross Bushfire Leaving Early Plan, which follows the same structure as the generic Emergency REDiPlan, but is tailored specifically for bushfires
CFA resources are available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or via the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

Australian Red Cross resources are available at www.redcross.org.au or via phone during business hours on 8327 7700

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