Forty-five per cent of respondents in risk areas are not concerned about bushfire safety, while a further 30 per cent said they would delay leaving their property in a bushfire event, according to the annual CFA Bushfire Community Survey.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the statistics were concerning, urging those in fire-prone areas to consider their safety and begin bushfire preparation now.
“With fire season fast approaching, it’s vital that Victorians know their level of risk and plan accordingly,” he said.
The survey also found 22 per cent of respondents did not interact with CFA in the last six months, either because they were unaware of CFA resources or felt they did not need extra information from the organisation.
“CFA has resources available to help people prepare, but it's vital that the community actively seeks out this information before it's too late,” Mr Heffernan said.
The AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for spring 2024 has found indications parts of Victoria will face an increased fire risk due to dry autumn and winter conditions.
CFA said Victorians should find information on bushfires from multiple sources, including VicEmergency channels, emergency broadcasters and commercial or community radio.
It is also asking property owners to prepare by moving winter woodpiles away from houses, clearing out gutters, and keeping grass shorter than 10 centimetres, among other actions.
Households can find more information on Bushfire Survival Plans at http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/bushfireplan
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