WITH the final weeks of summer and the fire-danger period approaching, the Country Fire Authority says it is important for residents to stay vigilant.CFA community engagement officer Gary Lavars said Bendigo and surrounding regions were largely unaffected over the bushfire season, which had pushed fire safety to the back of people’s minds.“The worry is that people are becoming complacent,” he said.“It’s easy for some people to forget that they need to update their survival plans.”Mr Lavars said the key message was to be prepared to leave, and leave early.But for others, the message was to be ready to fight to protect your home. The CFA recently held stay and defend workshops for active community fireguard groups. The fireguard groups, which operate in Bendigo, Woodend, Kyneton and surrounds, have been given specific instructions on how to safely defend themselves from a bushfire threat.Mr Lavars, who organised the workshops, said they were a chance to review specific strategies.“It’s about looking at the concept of defendable space, in terms of property management,” he said.“But it’s really for experienced community groups who are aware of the physical and psychological dangers.” Maryborough resident Brian Ayres attended the Bendigo stay and defend workshop. An active fireguard member since 2008, he said the workshop reinforced his own conviction to defend his property.“It was an extension of what we’ve developed in fire strategies, and brought us up to date with latest policies and procedures.”