Mandurang brigade among many warning that central Victoria remains dry despite recent rains

The Mandurang Fire Brigade’s Sue Bull and Ken Butler have emailed people in the area warning them to stay prepared.

“In recent weeks Mandurang has received a higher rainfall than many other localities but a closer look reveals that there are few dams that are full and our bush remains very dry,” they wrote.

Across central Victoria brigades are warning the community to prepare, with some noting international news reports of the northern hemisphere’s fire season that have included large and in some cases catastrophic wildfires, including in Alaska, Canada, Russia, California and Greece.

The Mandurang brigade has also cited a number of bushfires in Gippsland over the winter. Fire fighters continue to work on a 1000ha blaze near Cape Conran, though it is under control.

CFA community education coordinator Paul Tangey said that when rain stops in central Victoria it will not take many days before everything dries out.

He said people needed to clean up around their property, remove hazards and making sure anything that could fuel a fire was dealt with.

Related – On the knife’s edge: Farmers brace for dry conditions

The CFA’s push to prepare communities takes place all year round, Mr Tangey said.

“In another month it will be focusing on the specifics. We will need to go over exactly what we are asking people to do,” he said.

“At the moment it is the general reminder, similar to what you have seen from the Mandurang brigade. Most brigades would be doing that, whether by letter-box drop, newsletters, social media or email.”

The Mandurang Brigade’s email said the community had shown a high level of personal responsibility for bushfire safety in the past.

“It is important to remind you that whilst we have many operational members and two trucks – and we may be fortunate in a larger event to have the support of other brigades from across Victoria or even from other states – there will not be sufficient resources for every property,” authors wrote.

“This means that the more preparation you can undertake to prevent or minimise the impact of fire on your property and family the better off you will be and the quicker your recovery should we experience a bush fire in our area.”