No smoke without fire: The CFA is warning Victorians to avoid driving vehicles through dry grass to prevent unnecessary grass and stubble fires.
The CFA has warned Victorians to avoid driving vehicles, farm machinery, mowers and motorbikes through dry grass in coming weeks, as conditions heat up and vegetation dries out.
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Following a string of hot days over recent weeks, grassland areas have completely dried out in the northern areas of the state and fuels in the south-west are curing just as quickly.
The CFA has responded to a number of significant grass and stubble fires started by mowers, vehicles or machinery over the past fortnight.
Burning: The CFA responded to a grass fire Friday, January 13, in Illabarook.
Last Friday, January 13, crews in the state’s west stopped a 300-acre grass fire in its tracks in Illabarook, which was believed to have been started by a seized bearing on a header.
The fire quickly spread to dry grass, with flames reaching approximately nine metres tall, and required air firefighting appliances to support a significant ground response to bring it under control.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the recent fires across the state served as a timely reminder for people to be aware of the fire risks associated with using vehicles and other machinery in and around dry grass.
“Victoria is expected to experience a grass fire-dominated fire season once again but we’re asking the community to do all it can to prevent these fires from starting,” he said.
“In many areas across the state, the risk of starting a fire from hot exhaust system or other hot parts from farm machinery is high.
“Even pulling over on to tall, dry grass on the side of the road during your travels could start a significant grass fire.
“Awareness is key to preventing grass and crop fires. We also want farmers to ensure their machinery and equipment are regularly inspected, maintained and cleaned.”
High-risk and agricultural activities such as harvesting, grinding, welding, slashing or mowing can quickly ignite fires in hot, dry and windy conditions.
In the right conditions, grass fires can move at speeds of up to 25km per hour and spread across roads and highways.
Victorians should stay prepared and informed this fire season; this means downloading the VicEmergency app and getting familiar with the new Fire Danger Rating System by checking the rating in their area.
It is crucial to understand risk and plan ahead. Know what to do on hot, dry, windy days and plan for all situations.
• If you’re using farm machinery or a vehicle, ensure it is free from any faults and mechanical defects, fitted with an approved spark arrestor and carrying a water fire extinguisher.
• Be aware hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start grass fires.
• The accumulation of grass around the underbody of vehicles can create a fire risk.
• If you live next to grassland and a grass fire starts, walk at least two streets back from the fire.
• If you live two or three streets away from grassland and a grass fire starts, stay where you are; grass fires are unlikely to spread into built-up areas.
• Never drive if you can see smoke or fire. Thick smoke will make it hard to see, and traffic jams and accidents are likely.
• Keep roads clear for emergency services.
• The most common cause of harvester and mower fires is material collecting on hot engine components such as the manifold, exhaust and turbocharger.
• The key to avoiding harvester fires is diligence in clean-down and inspection.
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