Preparing your property for grass fires

If you live in an area near long grass or paddocks, you're at risk.

Grass fires can start in pasture grass, crops and areas of undisturbed natural grasslands. The taller and drier the grass, the quicker the fire will move and more intensely it will burn. A grass fire can cut roads and threaten property with very little warning.

Therefore it is important that you have a plan so you and your family will know what to do when a grass fire is close by. Get the simple Guide to Making Your Bush Fire Survival Plan.

Be Prepared

Keep grass short – you can mow it, graze it or slash it back.

Maintain your machinery.

Know where you can move your animals to safety.

Check and maintain firefighting equipment like pumps and hoses.

Make sure a fire truck can access your property – think about gates, bridges or obstructions.

If you’re using fire on your property, get to know the team at your local Fire Control Centre and find out if you need a permit.

Maintain your machinery

Machinery can start fires but there are things you can do to prevent them.

You should ensure that machinery is:

• Free from any faults or mechanical defects that could start a fire.
• Fitted with an approved spark arrestor.
• Carrying fire suppression equipment such as a working 9L water fire extinguisher or 0.9kg dry powder fire extinguisher, or a 16L knapsack spray pump filled with water.

Tractors, slashers and harvesters should not be used unless conditions are mild and are accompanied by an independent means of extinguishing a fire (as listed above).

Grinders, welders and chainsaws shouldn’t be used unless conditions are mild, the immediate area is dampened down and clear of any materials that may cause an ignition.