Swanpool CFA from June 2023

02/09/2026

Thank for the info, CFA District 12...
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Br5L5LHjX/

A CFA survey has found most Victorians living in bushfire-prone areas understand leaving early is the best way to protect themselves and their families during a bushfire, but most would wait too long to act.

CFA’s annual post-season bushfire community survey found 88 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that leaving early was the safest option.

However, 81 per cent indicated they were unlikely to leave until fire was threatening the landscape.

Concerningly, 12 per cent indicated they would stay and defend.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM said the results showed important bushfire safety messages are reaching communities, but there was still work to do.

“It’s encouraging to see so many Victorians understand that leaving early is the safest way to protect themselves and their family,” Jason said.

“But knowing that leaving early is safest and knowing when to act are two different things. Leaving early means leaving the area before a fire starts, not when you can see flames or smell smoke.

“CFA’s position is clear, do not stay and defend.”

The results also showed 93 per cent of respondents have a bushfire plan, but only 13 per cent have it written down.

“A good plan should cover when you will leave, where you will go and what you will do if your preferred route is no longer safe. Writing it down and placing it somewhere you can see it can make a huge difference during an emergency.”

Expectations of emergency services also remains high, 63 per cent believed they were likely or very likely to receive assistance from fire trucks to defend their property, while 77 per cent expected emergency services to tell them when to leave.

“During a bushfire, we cannot guarantee a fire truck will be at every property,” Jason said.

“Don’t wait for a fire truck or a verbal warning from firefighters to act. Download the Vic Emergency App, set a watch zone, listen to emergency broadcasters and monitor social media and the CFA website for updates.

“With hot and dry conditions expected across much of Victoria this spring, now is the time to prepare.

“The best way to prepare now is to attend a Get Fire Ready event this October, speak with your local brigade, understand your risk and make sure your plan is ready before a fire starts.

"Last year, we saw 537 brigades directly engage more than 40,000 people about fire safety at Get Fire Ready events. This year we’re hoping to increase that number.”

For more information about Get Fire Ready, visit the CFA website.

19/08/2026

I know it's been cold, wet and rainy, but...
today the Spring Seasonal Outlook has been released and it shows that spring is forecast to be considerably warmer and drier than average across much of Victoria.
An earlier transition into the fire season is likely to occur this spring, with the increased potential for a significant bushfire season ahead.
You can take action now by:
1. Starting or updating your bushfire plan.
2. Prepare your property for summer.
3. Downloading the VicEmergency app and setting up a watch zone.

18/08/2026

A big thank you to everyone who supported the Swanpool Trivia night to raise funds for the local brigade. CFA Captain, Neil Williams, said he was overwhelmed by the generous prizes donated by locals and businesses. '$5,000 was raised and we'll use this to buy protective equipment for our crew. The Swanpool and District Community Development Association contributed with a very kind donation of $1000.
More than 100 people came along for the evening and almost everyone went home with a prize. Jeremy Kaye expertly MCed the night and kept the crowd on their toes with games, Trivia questions and raffles.

01/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F1nGcmVeH/

15/04/2026

Hi Swanpool CFA friends
Another good post from CFA District 12...
https://www.facebook.com/share/1NFwi2oLDt/

With so much cleanup work happening across our region—from fire recovery around Longwood to general seasonal maintenance—many of us are looking to clear piles of fallen or felled trees and leaf litter now that fire restrictions have lifted. While a burn-off is a great way to get on top of the debris, it’s a task that still requires plenty of caution.

Even though we’ve seen some rain across the region recently, it’s easy to get a false sense of security. It doesn't take much—just a bit of sun and a steady breeze—to dry out the top layer of fuel enough for a simple pile burn to become an escaped fire that can quickly threaten property.

If you’re planning to light up, let’s keep things controlled and neighborly with a few simple steps:

📝 1. Register Before You Ignite
This is the big one. When people see smoke, they naturally call 000. If your burn isn't on the system, our local volunteers get paged away from their work and families to investigate what turns out to be a controlled fire.

💻 Register online: firepermits.vic.gov.au
📞 Register by phone: 1800 668 511
🏘️ Check Local Laws: Remember to check with your local council for any specific bylaws or "no burn" days in your area.

🪵 2. Setting Up for Success
💨 Watch the Wind: Wind is the number one cause of escaped burns. If the breeze is picking up or the forecast looks gusty, it’s better to wait for a calmer day.
🚜 Clear a Break: Give yourself a safety net. Clear at least 3 meters of bare earth all the way around your pile to stop the fire from creeping into the surrounding grass.
💧 Have Water Ready: Don't wait until things look "dicey" to find your hose. Have your pump, tank, or knapsack tested and sitting right next to you before you strike the match.

👨‍🚒 3. Stay Until It's Out
Most escapes happen when a fire is left "just for a minute." A fire is only considered supervised if you are physically there with the equipment to put it out. These piles—especially heavy timber—can hold heat deep in the center for days. Once you're done, give it a good stir with a tractor or rake and douse it until it's cool to the touch.

How is the cleanup going on your end? If you have any questions or need a bit of advice on safely managing a burnoff, drop a comment below or you can try reach out to your local CFA brigade.

Stay safe and look out for one another!

04/04/2026

Hi Swanpool friends, the end of Fire Danger period for Benalla Rural City is 1am on Tuesday 7th April 2026. Wishing you a safe and Happy Easter.