FIRE SAFE
Pingelly Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to keeping Pingelly and district, FIRE SAFE. Whether it is a small home block of land or a large agricultural lot, there are many ways to reduce the hazards in preparation for the Summer fire danger period. Winter is the perfect time to carry out the clean up. Check tall growing trees for overhanging limbs. Rake up leaf matter,fallen twigs and branches. Clean gutters and reduce the hazards around low growing shrubs and garden plots. Use a broad herbicide to spray along boundary fences and unwanted weed areas. If you are planting new shrubs and trees, check the horticultural notes on the size of the plant. Is it going to grow too high? How far will it spread? How far should it be planted from a structure? These are important factors in assisting you to develop a safe environment around your home and outer structures. As the weather warms towards the Summer months, check sprinkler systems, taps and garden hoses, fire fighting equipment and have your escape plan at the ready. Below are some handy notes from DFES. Please read them and follow the advice. Assist us to make Pingelly a "FIRE SAFE" town and district.
WINTER BURNING.
Carrying out a prescribed burn during winter can help protect your property during bushfire season. The heat intensity and spread of a bushfire is determined by the amount of fuel (vegetation) on your property available to burn. If you can reduce the fuel load then a bushfire will burn cooler and slower and will be less likely to impact your home.
1. Hand Clearing. Raking and removing leaf litter, fallen timber and branches.
2. Mechanical Mowing. Mow grass areas, slash along fence lines and heavy weed areas, prune vegetation.
3. Chemical. Use herbicides to spray unwanted grass areas. Spray around buildings and fence lines.
4. Burn. Burn unwanted vegetation and other debris that can add to a fire fuel load.
Fire is a natural part of the Australian environment and prescribed burning is a useful and effective method of reducing fuel loads. The winter months provide the ideal time and safer conditions for you to use fire to reduce fuel on your forested property.
To obtain a copy of the Winter Burning Guide and DVD email [email protected] or call 08 9395 9573. For further enquiries on all aspects of Bushfire Risk Management please contact the DFES Bushfire Risk Management branch on 9478 8366.
WHEN TO BURN.
The best time to burn is usually between late June and early September as cooler weather conditions create moisture in the vegetation environment causes the fire to burn cooler and for a shorter period of time.
HANDY HINT.
Before you plan a winter burn it is a good idea to check the wind speed on the day of your burn. To carry out a prescribed burn the wind speed should ideally be between 12 to 19 kilometres per hour.
Visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
YOUR RESPONSIBILTY
With planning and effort the majority of houses in high risk bushfire areas can survive most bushfires. It is your responsibility to reduce risk to you and your home and take actions to survive a bushfire.
If you have a large property you may be required by local government law to install firebreaks and have a fire management plan. If you are not sure if this applies to you contact your local shire or council to find out their requirements.
Vegetation around your property or home such as dry grass, leaves, twigs and bark provide fuel for a fire. This is referred to as a fuel load.
High fuel loads in a bushfire burn faster and hotter, and destroy more of the environment. If you reduce the amount of fuel around your property, a bushfire will be less likely to impact on your home or other infrastructure.
Carrying out a prescribed burn during winter can help protect your property during bushfire season. The heat intensity and spread of a bushfire is determined by the amount of fuel (vegetation) on your property available to burn. If you can reduce the fuel load then a bushfire will burn cooler and slower and will be less likely to impact your home.
1. Hand Clearing. Raking and removing leaf litter, fallen timber and branches.
2. Mechanical Mowing. Mow grass areas, slash along fence lines and heavy weed areas, prune vegetation.
3. Chemical. Use herbicides to spray unwanted grass areas. Spray around buildings and fence lines.
4. Burn. Burn unwanted vegetation and other debris that can add to a fire fuel load.
Fire is a natural part of the Australian environment and prescribed burning is a useful and effective method of reducing fuel loads. The winter months provide the ideal time and safer conditions for you to use fire to reduce fuel on your forested property.
To obtain a copy of the Winter Burning Guide and DVD email [email protected] or call 08 9395 9573. For further enquiries on all aspects of Bushfire Risk Management please contact the DFES Bushfire Risk Management branch on 9478 8366.
WHEN TO BURN.
The best time to burn is usually between late June and early September as cooler weather conditions create moisture in the vegetation environment causes the fire to burn cooler and for a shorter period of time.
HANDY HINT.
Before you plan a winter burn it is a good idea to check the wind speed on the day of your burn. To carry out a prescribed burn the wind speed should ideally be between 12 to 19 kilometres per hour.
Visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
YOUR RESPONSIBILTY
With planning and effort the majority of houses in high risk bushfire areas can survive most bushfires. It is your responsibility to reduce risk to you and your home and take actions to survive a bushfire.
If you have a large property you may be required by local government law to install firebreaks and have a fire management plan. If you are not sure if this applies to you contact your local shire or council to find out their requirements.
Vegetation around your property or home such as dry grass, leaves, twigs and bark provide fuel for a fire. This is referred to as a fuel load.
High fuel loads in a bushfire burn faster and hotter, and destroy more of the environment. If you reduce the amount of fuel around your property, a bushfire will be less likely to impact on your home or other infrastructure.