Ararat Rural City Council issues community safety advice ahead of tomorrow’s extreme weather
Ararat Rural City Council (ARCC) is imploring its local communities to follow important safety advice ahead of tomorrow’s Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating (Friday 9 January) in the South West Fire District.
Officials are also predicting thunderstorm asthma conditions for tomorrow.
ARCC is issuing the following safety advice for all urban and rural residents:
Fire preparation
- Download the Vic Emergency app to your phone.
- Do not be in a bushfire risk area (even if travelling through) – go to a safe location early tonight or early tomorrow.
- Activate your personal emergency plans/community emergency plans.
- Always have at least TWO ways to receive emergency information. Power and communications may fail during extreme heat and fire activity.
- Only take advice from officials such as CFA. Do not rely on information from Facebook community pages unless it is a shared post from an official source.
Hot weather preparation
- Check on your vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are cool and hydrated.
- Make sure your stock and domestic pets are watered and comfortable. DO NOT travel with pets unnecessarily or leave pets in cars.
- If you are asthmatic, put measures in place early to minimise effects of the predicted thunderstorm asthma and have your medication ready.
- If not already, please subscribe to the department’s health alerts (heat, asthma etc) https://www.health.vic.gov.au/subscribe
- The Alexandra Oval Community Centre will be open tomorrow (Friday 9 January) from 9am to 5pm for residents to attend if they need cool respite.
Quote from ARCC CEO Dr Tim Harrison:
“A Catastrophic rating represents the worst possible conditions for grass and bushfires. Council is encouraging both urban and rural residents to take this situation seriously and recommend the below steps are taken. Your life may depend on the decisions you make, even before there is a fire. Homes cannot withstand fires in these conditions. You may not be able to leave, and help may not be available. Please look after each other, stay safe and listen to the advice of officials.”
