Our second big summer topic is Be Fire Safe
Recently we attended a fire safe evening run by the Appleby Fire Volunteers. I can recommend anyone living rurally to attend one of these evenings or if you want to do something as a residential community as we did in Galeo Estate the local fire service will run an evening for you.
Things to remember are provide a 1-2 m fire break around around your home. You dont want a fuel source right up to the house ie those lovely bark gardens between the lawn and the house, and instead consider using crushed shell or stone. Keep the type of plantings against the house to lower growing, fire resistant plants, dont plant the taller trees against the house that are fire fuel. Remembering that the fire service only bring with them 8-10,000 ltrs and the rest of the water to fight your house fire comes from your reserve tank. If you have self levelling tanks where the water levels across all of your available tanks, remember you need to keep sufficient water in them for the fire service to use should it be required.
Can a fire appliance access your property? the big take aways are the same things we need when delivering your water so if your property is fire smart, it will also be water smart. The main points are:
- Driveways need to be clear of vegetation
- Clearance of all vegetation 4m wide x 4m high is needed
- No overhanging branches to drag on the top of the truck
- No branches restricting truck width and mirrors
- Adequate turning for large vehicles - concrete trucks are not as big or heavy as a fire/water truck
If we dont have clear access we may not be able to help you