Are you prepared for fire?

_{14, October 2005}

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Bushfire in the suburbs! (Friday afternoon, 7 October 2005)

State Member for Ferny Grove, Geoff Wilson is asking local residents to think about how safe they are from the threat of bushfire as fire weather conditions reach extreme levels this weekend.

Geoff Wilson said there are a number of simple precautions householders can undertake to help protect themselves and their home during this year’s fire season.

“The recent bushfire outbreak at Keperra and Mitchelton was a timely wake-up call for local residents,” Geoff Wilson said.

“Fires are often started by embers that can collect in guttering and eaves or blow into scrub around your home, so in the first instance, you need to think about reducing the hazards around your property,” Geoff Wilson said.

Geoff Wilson said you could help by:

• Clearing scrub and undergrowth around your yard
• Keeping grass areas well trimmed
• Keeping gutters free of leaves and rubbish

“When high temperatures are mixed with low humidity and high winds, it produces an extremely dangerous climate for fire,” Geoff Wilson said.

Minister for Emergency Services Pat Purcell said every year the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service were called to protect homes in urban-fringe areas, and all too often have residents say they just did not think it would happen to them.

“But talk to most firefighters and they’ll tell you they’ve seen bushfires burn along suburban streets and in neighbourhood parklands, and that its often these areas that are worst affected, because they just didn’t see it coming,” Mr Purcell said.

“Living in the leafy outer-suburbs does bring its own unique risks and responsibilities.

“Play your bit in protecting your home - people who haven’t undertaken any preventative measures around their homes place an extra burden on already busy fire crews during the fire season.”

For more information on bushfire safety and preparation visit www.fire.qld.gov.au, or www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au , ring 1300 369 003 or contact your local fire station or brigade.

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