How do I prepare our farm for fire season?

We all groan on the inside when someone mentions fire prep. It’s one of those necessary evils that every farmer has on their to do list as soon as the word ‘spring’ hits the air. The hay growth starts to turn golden, the flowers are blooming and we’re preparing to ensure the safety of our crops, stock, family and neighbours. It’s just a part of who we are as Australian Farmers living in the land we love.

If you’d like a complete legal list of your individual responsibilities click here to be redirected to the CFA site.

But here’s a 10 helpful tips to ensure your farm is safe this year.

1. Keep dry grass and flammable debris areas clear and trimmed (Slashers Mowers and Mulchers)
2. Double check that spark arrestors on machinery are working and efficient. Make sure chainsaws are free from faults and sharpened ready to clear up dead or fallen trees on short notice.
3. Purchase some water fire extinguishers or knapsack spray pumps (minimum 9 litres)  that can be carried by any person using farm equipment or machinery. These should be kept in an easily accessible location.
4. Have a safety strategy in place for storing and monitoring hay – purchase a moisture metre if necessary.
5. Make sure the hay that you bail this year is fully cured before bailing.
6. If you have private firefighting equipment, spend some time giving everyone a ‘refresher’  making sure they all know how to use it incase needed.
7. Make sure that there are no gaps between the cladding and the ground or slab of your sheds to prevent embers getting inside.
8. Have a plan for horses and livestock.  A large well-grazed area where they can move freely, with a supply of water, is the safest.
9. If you plan to stay and defend a building during a bushfire, take steps to establish a water supply of at least 10,000 litres (independent of the mains supply)
10. Fire Danger Ratings are a good way to decide when to leave. They are not a weather forecast – they tell you how dangerous a fire would be if one started.  As the ratings increase, so does the risk of a fast moving and uncontrollable fire.

Yes I know it’s early to be thinking of this, but lets all get on top of it this year, clean out our gutters and be ready, safe and a okay.