As summer approaches, many Canberra residents begin to worry about bushfire attacks and how to survive them. Proper preparation is one of the best ways to combat the spread of bushfires when they start, and that should be done by the government as well as the citizens.

You have a responsibility to implement measures that can save you and your property from the fire just as much as the local authorities also have a responsibility to put in place relevant response measures to curb the spread of fire.

More tree removal needed
One of the best ways of being prepared is by removing some trees. You don't have to remove the entire tree; you can remove sections that are most likely to fuel the fire. For instance, you can make sure your lawn is mowed to keep the grass low. You can also use your hands to remove some twigs on your trees especially if they are hanging closer to your home. Removing leaves is also necessary as well as pruning. You can hire a professional arborist to prune your tree for you but you can also remove the overhanging branches yourself if they are too big. Another option is to use herbicides around your building or fence lines. Service providers for tree removals in Canberra and the ACT can help you determine whether removing the entire tree is more important than removing some sections of the tree. For instance, in places where the trees are too crowded there may be need to remove some of them to lessen the chances of the fire spreading to a wider area.



Will only get worse unless we act
Previous incidents of bushfire spread have made it clear that it will keep recurring unless we take action to prevent that from happening. As a Canberra resident, especially a property owner, you can try to protect your property by learning about the fire danger ratings to help you determine when to leave the area or if it's safe to stay. You also need to ensure that tree risk assessment is done on your premises to confirm that the place is ready for fire outbreaks. This will help you and everyone else living in your property stay safe in case the fire reaches where you are. Fireproof doors for instance, should be installed to reduce the rate at which the fire spreads in order to allow you to evacuate safely. You should also ensure that the rest of the building structure is capable of resisting heat at the very least give you enough time to get to safety.

Need to relax "restrictive" tree removal laws in ACT
Holding the government accountable and pushing for some changes in the laws regarding trees in Canberra is also important especially when those laws have to do with removal of tree. Tree removal Canberra laws are considered to be very stringent and to some extent contribute to the ease with which the bushfires spread. For instance, you are required by law to seek approval before removing, pruning major parts of the tree or doing any work around a tree so long as it is 12 meters in height, has a circumference of at least 1.5m or 12 metres in width. Such laws make it impossible for property owners to remove trees on their own properties regardless of how dangerous those trees are. The process of seeking permission is also a long and tiring one. The fact that these laws prohibit the removal of trees but don't touch on tree planting also contributes to the problem. It leads to overcrowding of trees, which is fuel for fire distribution.

Loss of property and life avoidable
Tree removal in Canberra seems to be one of the main actions that can help in preparedness for bushfires. You can still try some practices that can help protect your property and save lives. One of those practices is leaving your sinks filled with water and making sure that all your windows are closed when you leave your home. Turn off the main gas supply and move all the furniture to a different location. Have a safety back up plan and leave an exit route in case you need to leave urgently. Have a survival kit ready, and if you are a rental property owner, then make sure your tenants are well informed about these measures. Try to improve your physical strength and health as well.