The Latrobe Valley knows fire. In 2009, the Black Saturday fires burned through the hills around Churchill, Callignee and Traralgon South. In 2014, the Hazelwood mine fire filled Morwell with smoke for weeks. Each summer, grassfires threaten farmland around Glengarry, Tyers and Hazelwood North. Preparing your home is not just a job for people living on the edge of the bush; it matters in town too.

This guide covers the practical maintenance jobs that help reduce risk around the house. It isn’t a replacement for a bushfire survival plan. Use the CFA’s resources to make your plan and follow emergency warnings on the day.

Why small gaps matter

Most homes lost in bushfires are not destroyed by a wall of flame. They catch fire from embers blown ahead of the fire front, sometimes for hours, that land in gutters, slip through gaps under doors and lodge in vents and under decks. Many of the jobs that reduce ember risk are simple maintenance tasks.

Gutters and roofs

Dry leaves and bark in gutters are an ideal place for embers to land. Clean gutters before the fire danger period begins and again during summer if trees drop more. Gutter guards can help but need checking too, as leaves collect on top of them. We clean gutters on single-storey homes where access is safe; steep or fragile roofs need a specialist.

Gaps, vents and screens

• Fit or replace bottom seals on external doors, including garage side doors.
• Repair torn flyscreens, and consider fine metal mesh on windows and vents.
• Cover subfloor vents and openings with suitable mesh.
• Seal gaps around eaves, fascias and where pipes enter walls, using suitable products.

Under decks and verandahs

The space under a deck is a favourite storage spot, and a common place for fires to start. Clear stored timber, boxes, leaf litter and rubbish from under decks and verandahs. Replace rotten deck boards, which ignite more easily than sound timber, and consider enclosing the underside with non-combustible mesh or sheeting where suitable.

Around the house

• Move woodpiles, timber offcuts, mulch bags and rubbish away from the walls.
• Store fuel and gas bottles safely in a shed, away from the house.
• Remove doormats and flammable outdoor furniture cushions on high-risk days.
• Make sure hoses reach all sides of the house and fittings don’t leak (a plumber can fix taps and pipes).

Access

Fire trucks need to get in. Make sure gates open fully and aren’t blocked, driveways are clear of low branches (an arborist handles larger limbs), and your house number is visible from the road.

Smoke protection

Even in town, smoke from fires or burn-offs can affect your home. Good door seals, tight-closing windows and intact flyscreens help keep smoke out. These jobs also make homes warmer in winter.

A spring checklist

• Gutters cleaned
• Door seals fitted or replaced
• Flyscreens and mesh repaired
• Vents and subfloor openings meshed
• Under-deck areas cleared
• Woodpile and rubbish moved away from the house
• Gates and driveway access checked

Book a pre-season visit through the free quote form. Many clients in Traralgon South, Tyers and Hazelwood North book every spring.

*General information only. For bushfire planning, refer to the CFA and current Victorian guidance.*