Urban grassfires

[Grassfires]

The following may be distressing to some viewers.

Grass is a major part of the Australian landscape.

It is considered a fine fuel, which means it is easier to ignite.

Under hot and dry conditions, grass dries out very quickly so grassfires can start earlier in the day than bushfires.

Grassfires occur in open spaces like paddocks, farmland and parkland. This means grassfires are open to the full effect of the wind.

Under gusty conditions they are unpredictable, can change direction quickly, and go from a small fire to a dangerous fire in a matter of minutes.

The taller and drier the grass the more intensely a grassfire will burn.

Grassfires can also involve other vegetation such as bush and scrub, which influences the fire's behaviour.

When threatened by a grassfire you may become isolated.

Grassfires should not be underestimated. They are fast, hot and can produce large amounts of radiant heat, threatening lives, properties and livelihoods.

And although grassfires are usually short-lived compared to bushfires, they can still spread many kilometres in a relatively short time, reaching speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour, faster than you can run.

A grassfire can damage properties at the edge of an urban area but are unlikely to travel beyond the first street.

During a grassfire it is important to remember that there are things you can do to protect yourself.

The safest place to be during a grassfire is well away from the threat.

[Urban Grassfire]

On hot, dry, windy days, grassfires can start anywhere and spread quickly.

If a fire starts, you'll be much safer a few streets away.

Walk at least two streets back from burning grassland.

If you are two or three streets away, stay where you are and monitor conditions.

Never drive, to keep roads clear for emergency services.

Visit cfa.vic.gov.au to learn more.

[Never park or drive through long grass.]

[No voice over]

The camera is looking from underneath a car, looking back past the exhaust pipe and muffler. The car reverses out of a driveway into a suburban street with the morning sun low on the horizon.

It's later in the day as we cut to the same point of view with the car driving down a freeway in light traffic, then suddenly on a dirt road in the remote countryside.

Next the car is stopping in some dry grass which we can see coming into contact with the exhaust pipe. As the car comes to a complete stop we can hear the engine continue to idle. Before more than a few seconds have passed the grass catches fire from the heat of the exhaust pipe that it's touching.

Flames quickly spread down the blades of grass, catching other bits of grass on fire. Smoke starts to rise from the burning grass. Just before the camera changes angles we see the grass suddenly flare as the heat increases and all the grass starts to burn quickly.

The camera angle changes to directly overhead as we see a blue car drive from the grass on the side of the road back onto the dirt road to continue its journey. As it leaves we can see that the grass on the side of the road is on fire and the fire is getting bigger. It appears that the driver wouldn't have known the fire had started.

The camera slowly zooms in toward the fire as a message appears on the screen.

[On screen text]
Out of sight, out of control. Driving through dry grass can lead to grass fires.

For more information visit cfa.vic.gov.au/vehicles