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How To Prepare Your Property

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State government restrictions are in place due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may affect how you follow CFA's fire safety advice. You can find up to date advice on your Bushfire Safety Plan and COVID-19 or on the Coronavirus Victoria website.

Everyone in Victoria who lives near dense forest, bush, grassland or the coast needs to prepare their property for bushfire.

Tips and advice to prepare your property

The illustration below provides an overview of key preparation activities you can undertake before the bushfire season. Click on each of the icons to find out what you can do around different parts of your property to prepare for the fire season.

	Mature trees Mature trees can help shield against radiant heat and embers. They must be strategically located and well managed.
	Remove Flammables Remove flammable items from decks and verandahs, such as boxes, furniture and doormats.
	Keep grass short Keep grass cut to less than 10cm. Fire can ignite and travel quickly through long grass.
	Woodpiles Keep woodpiles away from the house. Stray fire embers can easily ignite woodpiles.
	Store Flammables Store flammable liquids away from house. Where possible, store in flame proof containers.
	Leaves and Twigs Get rid of dry grass, leaves, twigs and loose bark.
	Prune shrubs Prune lower branches of shrubs to separate from surface fuels underneath. Prune shrubs well away from branches of mature trees
	Cut back branches Cut back overhanging tree branches close to property – no branches in 10m space.
	Garden beds Do not have large shrubs next to or under windows.
	Pebbles and rocks Use pebbles and rocks in your garden (not flammable mulch).
	Roof gutters Keep gutters and roof areas clear of leaf litter