ALMOST 100 firefighters will put their skills to the test tomorrow as the bushfire danger period draws near.
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The CFA and Parks Victoria will take part in a morning exercise in the Warby Ranges near Wangaratta, focusing on forest fires.
CFA Lieutenant Craig Iskov said this fire season was likely to be “significantly challenging”.
“There’s a high fuel loading on the ground,” he said.
“And in a long, hot summer, the grass growth from spring will cure fairly quickly.
“We never stop preparing in the sense that in winter there are new members who need training and equipment needs to be checked and tested.
“But we also try to raise community awareness heading into Nov-ember, towards the start of the fire season.”
Tomorrow’s exercise, which will involve 16 CFA tankers, will focus on dry freighting techniques and the management of fires caused by lightning strikes.
The exercise will be held in real-world conditions, but there will not be fire.
“It’s particularly aimed at our younger members,” Mr Iskov said.
“They’ll be mentored and coached by professional staff from the CFA and Parks Victoria.”
The NSW Rural Fire Service is also planning a controlled burn at Apex Park on Lake Hume today.
RFS infrastructure services co-ordinator John McGrath said the NSW fire season would start on November 1.
“People need to start to take precautions,” he said.
