Prepare for grassfires

ABC NEWS

Grassfires behave differently to bushfires and knowing the difference could save your life.

Grassfires are extremely dangerous and unpredictable. They start and spread quickly because grass burns fast. A grassfire can move more quickly than a person can run.

Grassfires don't produce embers like bushfires and aren't as intense, but they can still produce dangerous radiant heat.

Tall, dry grass will burn harder than shorter grass, which has a lower flame and is easier to control.

If you live in a grassland area, farming area or on the outskirts of a town and have dry grass longer than 10 centimetres around your home or property, you're at risk of grassfires.

How grassfires can start

It's important to pay attention to fire danger ratings on hot days if you live in rural or farming areas or on the outskirts of town.

Hot, dry windy weather increases the risk of grassfires. It's also important to be aware of how our activities can start grassfires. 

• Machinery — Tractors or slashers with internal combustion or heat engines can start grassfires if you're working near vegetation, grass, crops or stubble.
• Cars and vehicles — Hot mufflers can start grassfires if parked for a short time over dry grassy areas, and grass caught up under your car near the muffler can also start fires.

Preparing for grassfires

Increased grass growth after rainy periods can raise the risk of grassfires. As conditions change, grass starts to dry out or die in a process called curing. This elevates the fire danger so fuel loads must be reduced.

Cutting, slashing, mowing, spraying herbicides on or grazing down the long dry grass around your home will reduce the risk of grassfires.

Remember to check the fire danger ratings and advice from the fire brigade in your area when carrying out this work, so you don't accidentally start a grassfire in dangerous conditions.

You can also create fuel breaks around areas you want to protect by removing all the vegetation down to the ground.

Staying safe

The best protection from the radiant heat of a grassfire is distance.

If you can't get away from a grassfire and need to shelter, you can go to a well-prepared building that's being actively defended, a community shelter that's up to code or a neighbourhood safer place.

Remember, grassfires move quickly, so have a plan and know what you will do and where you will go if a grassfire starts in your area.

Supplied material courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Corporation