By NOEL MURPHY
STRONG fuel growth and difficulties with controlled burns are increasing the region’s summer fire risk, authorities have warned.
CFA’s Ian Beswicke said recent strong winds had restricted controlled burns to reduce fuel loads in risk areas across the region.
“We’ve had a few controlled burns that have got away on us,” he said.
“You wouldn’t think that would happen at this time of year, that they’d get away due to the wind.”
Mr Beswicke said the risk factor facing the region was now high.
He pointed to News South Wales as a warning.
“There’s a big risk – you’ve only got to look at New South Wales’ early fire season.
“We’ve had a lot of rain and a lot of growth. There’s a lot of grass out there and with a couple of hot days and a bit of wind, which can really dry it out, you can hav a fast-moving, potentially damaging grassfire.”
The CFA warned last month that forests could be more flammable than usual due to last summer’s extreme dryness and heat.
Mr Beswicke cautioned property-owners against keeping flammable items close to homess and urged them to begin clearing sites now.
“Maintaining low fuel 10 to 20 metres around your house means you’re in a better position to survive but with trees right up the house the chance of survival is very low,” he said.
“The more you do to reduce the fuel the better. Don’t store firewood beside the house – even the front-door mat is a potential threat if embers land there.
“Trigger points might seem only little things but they can make such a big difference.”
