Opinion & Perspectives
1 February, 2026
Preparedness, perspective and community strength
"Fire season is not an abstract concept here — it’s something we live with, prepare for, and carry in the back of our minds every summer."
By BRUCE STAFFORD
FOR many people in rural Victoria, January doesn’t arrive with a sense of ease.
It arrives with watchfulness.
Fire season is not an abstract concept here — it’s something we live with, prepare for, and carry in the back of our minds every summer.
Recent events have been a timely reminder of just how quickly conditions can change.
Hot days, shifting winds, and dry landscapes mean that readiness matters — not just for emergency services, but for all of us.
Preparedness isn’t only about having a fire plan or clearing around a property, though those things are important.
It’s also about staying informed, checking on neighbours, knowing when to act, and understanding that decisions sometimes need to be made early, not at the last minute.
What stands out during fire season is the quiet strength of our communities.
The volunteers who train year-round, the locals who share information, offer help, or simply keep an eye out for one another.
These actions rarely make headlines, but they are the foundation of resilience in small towns like ours.
I’ve seen through emergency response and community recovery work that people cope better with uncertainty when communication is clear, information is timely, and responsibilities are understood.
Fire season tests not just systems and infrastructure, but trust — trust in advice, trust in decision-making, and trust in one another.
Living with fire risk is part of rural life, but it doesn’t mean living in fear. It means being realistic, prepared, and connected.
It means recognising that resilience isn’t something that switches on during an emergency — it’s built over time, through planning, cooperation, and shared responsibility.
As we move through the peak of summer, it’s worth remembering that the strength of our response lies not only in trucks, aircraft, or technology, but in people — informed, prepared, and looking out for one another.
Fire season reminds us that community matters. And how we support one another during these moments shapes how well we face the challenges ahead.
Cr Bruce Stafford is a councillor in the Lower Avoca Ward of the Buloke Shire Council.
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