Fire safety front of mind for 2026 snow season

As the 2026 snow season begins, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) is reminding alpine resort stakeholders that fire safety remains a critical priority across all resorts. CFA Alpine Commander for District 24, Mark Owens, has reinforced the importance of preparedness, compliance, and vigilance to protect lives and property throughout the busy winter period.

Building fire safety and essential safety measures continue to be a major focus for the CFA. Owens emphasised that the protection of life is paramount, and that ensuring fire safety systems are fully operational is key to enabling safe and timely evacuations in the event of an emergency.

To support the alpine community, the CFA is delivering its annual Fire Safety Sessions at Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buller in June. These sessions are designed to provide practical guidance and reinforce best-practice safety measures for building operators, business owners, and accommodation providers. A Fire safety session at Mt Baw Baw is not yet confirmed.

In addition, CFA Alpine Commanders are available at Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Mt Buller to provide tailored advice and support to individual buildings and businesses. Stakeholders are encouraged to reach out directly via alpine.commander@cfa.vic.gov.au for fire safety information or assistance.

Key Fire Safety Reminders for the Season

The CFA is urging all stakeholders to remain proactive by checking and maintaining critical safety measures throughout the season. Key considerations include:

Ensuring exit doors and evacuation pathways remain clear and free from obstruction at all times
Confirming fire extinguishers and fire blankets are easily accessible, particularly in kitchen areas
Clearing snow promptly from exit paths and external staircases following snowfall events
Making sure smoke detectors and alarms are not obstructed or covered
Exercising caution with low-cost aftermarket chargers and battery packs, which may pose a fire risk
Displaying clear and compliant evacuation diagrams on bedroom doors and in communal areas to guide occupants during emergencies

In the event of smoke or fire, CFA stresses the importance of immediately calling Triple Zero (000) and requesting the fire brigade, providing as much detail as possible to assist emergency responders.

Visitors and staff are also encouraged to download the Emergency+ app, which provides precise location information including address, latitude and longitude, and what-3-words to help emergency services respond quickly in alpine environments.

With visitor numbers expected to rise during the peak winter season, the CFA is reminding all stakeholders that fire safety is a shared responsibility. Taking simple, proactive steps can significantly reduce risk and ensure a safe environment for guests, staff, and the broader alpine community.

“We want everyone to have a very safe and enjoyable snow season in 2026” Owens said.

Stakeholders are encouraged to remain vigilant and make fire safety a priority throughout the season.