LOCAL firefighters are warning households to be prepared for an early start to the bushfire season after a Greenbank house narrowly avoided being engulfed by a grass fire.
Jimboomba and the Greenbank Rural Fire crew units were called to a McTaggard Road home for two hours on Saturday afternoon to extinguish the flames.
Greenbank Rural Fire Brigade first officer Fabian Stangherlin said the blaze was an early wake up call for residents to reduce the risk of fire danger.
“It is a timely reminder for everyone to make sure their house is prepared for bush season,” he said.
“People can go to the Queensland Rural Fire Service website and find a bushfire survival plan which is all about preparing your homes and knowing what to do (if there is a bush fire).”
“Remember to keep your grass short and do not allow grass to be crumpled up.”
Mr Stangherlin said sudden weather changes had an impact on the region’s fire risk.
“Our bush fire season generally starts in August but with the weather we have been having there is less rain and drier conditions,” he said.
“We tend to have more house fires in winter because people generally try to heat their homes and have more grass fires in spring and summer, but that is all changing.”
It is important for people to follow general fire safety precautions by checking appliances are working properly, keeping an eye on cooking in the kitchen and to take care when lighting matches or lighters.
People are encouraged to check the Queensland Rural Fire Service website to be aware of the fire danger rating which is updated daily
The south east coast currently has a moderate fire danger risk.
If a house fire occurs residents are encouraged to follow their fire escape plan and contact triple zero immediately.
