Creating fuel breaks around your home

A fuel break is an area where vegetation has been reduced to lessen the risk of bushfires starting or spreading.

Fuel breaks, also referred to as fire breaks, can provide protection from fire for people, equipment and property, as well as providing an edge from which fire crews can fight fires.

It is recommended that if you live in a bushfire risk area, you carry out seasonal fuel reductions in the cooler months to maintain a defendable space around your property.

Ways to make fuel breaks around your home

Grazing

If you own livestock, strategic grazing of selected areas of your property can be very effective in reducing vegetation.

Slashing or mowing

This is an economical way of creating a fuel break, provided the cut material is removed and allowed to rot down well before summer starts. 

These breaks will need to be maintained throughout the year.

Ploughing and harrowing

Ploughing and harrowing can produce excellent fuel breaks if established early.

Herbicides

Herbicides are another option if other methods are too difficult.

Herbicides can be sprayed around properties, alongside fence lines and around fuel supplies.

Native Vegetation Clearance

The Native Vegetation Council (NVC) is the lead authority on what vegetation can and can’t be cleared without approval. 

If you are concerned that native vegetation poses a threat to your home, you can find more information via the NVC website. 

How to protect your assets

Home

Prepare a 20 metre space around your home by cutting long grass, removing ground fuels and pruning lower limbs of trees.

Plan mown lawns, wide paths or vegetable gardens in the area closest to your home.

Buildings and sheds

Create a fuel break of at least 5 metres around the building or shed and maintain it throughout the year.

Livestock

Prepare and maintain fuel-reduced areas where you can relocate livestock in case of a fire.

Fences

Prepare a 5 metre fuel break along all fence lines with bare gaps at intervals under the fence line by spraying, slashing or mowing.

Fodder reserves

Surround all fodder reserves with a 20 metre fuel reduced area which is either irrigated, mown, bare-earth or ploughed.

Do not attempt to burn off near fodder reserves.

Fuel or chemical supplies

Prepare a 5 metre fuel break around fully enclosed storage areas and clearly label sheds detailing the chemicals stored inside.

Crops

Prepare a 5 metre mechanical fuel break around all crops and a mechanical fuel break behind the first lap of the header.

Locate farm machinery on a cleared area away from adjacent crops when not being used during harvesting operations.