Getting Ready for Fire & Storm Season: Practical Tips from Our Family to Yours
Anyone working on the land knows that when the weather turns, it turns fast - and we’re seeing it right now. Fires, floods, storms, strong winds… it can change in a second. Nearly every state has been hit hard this year, and preparing early genuinely makes a difference.
We keep a close eye on what’s happening across farms and worksites now, and the message is consistent: get on top of the clean-up early and make sure the property is ready before conditions ramp up.
The photo we’ve used for this blog shows our 8m Premium Stick Rake, which the SES put to work in fire-season clean-up. Seeing it used in that context really highlights how important good preparation is across rural areas.
1. Clear the Fuel Load Early (Fire Season Prep)
Before the hotter weather sets in, it’s worth tackling the jobs that build up:
• Cleaning up fallen branches and debris
• Pushing up and stacking timber
• Tidying fence lines
• Opening up firebreaks
• Freshening up access tracks
• Clearing around sheds, tanks, and yards
For anyone keeping an eye on fire danger ratings or upcoming conditions, the Bureau of Meteorology has live nationwide warnings:
https://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/
2. Check Trees, Shelterbelts & Surrounding Areas
With the winds we’ve all had lately, loose limbs have caused plenty of headaches.
A quick check around the main working areas can help you spot:
• Dead or leaning trees
• Overhanging limbs near sheds, homes, or machinery
• Piles of debris that could move in a storm
If you want general guidance on what to look for, ABC Emergency has clear, practical explanations for preparing for high winds and storms:
https://www.abc.net.au/emergency
3. Prepare for Heavy Rain & Stormwater Runoff
Storm cells are rolling through faster than ever this year.
Before the next round hits:
• Clear drains, culverts, and waterways
• Remove silt or debris from crossing points
• Look at erosion-prone edges
• Make sure access roads haven’t washed out
Regional operators we speak with say even a half-day of work here can save a lot of trouble when a storm hits.
4. Secure Machinery & Loose Gear
High winds can pick up surprising things. We had some wild gusts ourselves recently - we were lucky it was only a table that went flying!
It helps to:
• Tie down or store lighter items
• Check shed doors and roofing
• Make sure tanks, troughs, and irrigation setups are stable
• Sort fuel and chemical storage areas
A quick tidy-up now avoids a lot of running around later.
5. Review Access & Emergency Plans
Properties can become cut off quickly during major weather events.
It’s worth making sure:
• Gates swing freely
• Firebreaks and tracks are open
• Pumps and hoses are working
• You have a plan for livestock if movement is needed
For broader preparedness planning, the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) has great community-friendly resources:
https://www.aidr.org.au/
6. DON’T Leave Clean-Up to Chance
This season has shown just how much rural communities rely on each other. Seeing our stick rake used by the SES was a reminder that preparation isn’t just about protecting your own patch - it helps everyone bounce back faster when things get tough.
A quick note from our family to yours…
We’ve all seen how unpredictable the past couple of months have been. A bit of groundwork now makes whatever’s coming next a whole lot easier to handle.