Survey reveals worrying bushfire statistic

A SURVEY by the CFA has revealed more than half of Victorians in high-risk bushfire areas would stay at their properties until they felt threatened by a bushfire, or would wait for an official warning.

CFA’s annual Bushfire Community Survey, run since 2009-10, showed 30.9 per cent would wait for emergency authorities to tell them what to do and 28.6 per cent would stay until they felt threatened.

Another 13.8 per cent would stay and defend their property.

Victoria has experienced some recent damaging fire seasons, such as the February 2009 bushfires and the 2019-20 fires.

The CFA is concerned not enough people are preparing themselves and heeding CFA’s advice in the face of predictions of a warmer spring and an earlier start to this year’s fire season.

The fire agency has promoted a “leave early” approach for years as the safest option on days of high fire risk.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the results of the survey were concerning.

“Victoria has had quieter fire seasons the last few years but now is not the time for the community to become complacent.

“And while our firefighters are always well prepared and your safety during fire season is a shared responsibility, so it’s vital that you understand your local risks and take actions to prepare your family and property.

“We’ve seen in the recent release of the spring seasonal outlook that weather patterns are changing and we’re expecting warmer and drier conditions across the state leading up to summer.

“Fires spread quickly and they threaten lives and properties. The community needs to be prepared and they need to know their triggers to act. Please don’t rely on one source of information, use the multiple channels available to you. Use common sense and protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Released on August 23, the AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring revealed a predicted El Niño would contribute to higher fire risk in some parts of Victoria this season compared to the past three years.

“Now is the time to sit down with your family or household and make sure you have a bushfire survival plan. Practice this plan and be ready,” Mr Heffernan said.

“On hot, dry and windy days, don’t drive into or through high-risk areas. Plan an alternate route or postpone your travel if possible. Continue to monitor conditions every day.”

The Community Bushfire Survey also showed 44.4 per cent of people believed CFA is responsible for protecting them during a bushfire, and 43.8 per cent believed CFA was is responsible for protecting their home.

“We simply can’t get a truck to every house during a major bushfire. Fire safety is a joint effort and the community need to also take on this responsibility when living in a bushfire prone area,” Mr Heffernan said.

“Our promise is to continue with our mission to protect lives and property and we are lucky to have some of the best firefighters in the world to do this.”

For more information, head to cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire/leave-early