The Lazy Person’s Guide to Keeping Fire Breaks Clear All Year

March 19, 2025

Clearing Fire Breaks Without Breaking a Sweat

Let’s be real—keeping fire breaks clear is one of those jobs no one ever wakes up excited to do. It’s sweaty, repetitive, and somehow, even when you’ve just done it, the grass has already started creeping back. But it has to be done, and not just to tick a box. Fire breaks are the frontline defence for rural properties, keeping homes, stock, and equipment safe when the temperature soars and the winds howl.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be back-breaking work. With a bit of planning and a few smart tricks, you can stay ahead of the job all year long without spending your weekends wrangling overgrown paddocks. Here's how to stay on top of it with minimal effort.

Start with the Right Tools for the Job

There’s a reason professionals invest in proper gear—because trying to do a tough job with the wrong equipment is just plain painful. If you're relying on a worn-out slasher or an underpowered brush cutter, you're making life harder than it needs to be. A solid ride-on mower with a tow-behind slasher, a heavy-duty whipper snipper, and a quality rake will make a world of difference.

Check your gear before the season kicks in. Blunt blades and dodgy spark plugs will double your workload. Keep everything serviced and ready to go so you’re not scrambling when the fire danger rating climbs.

Little and Often Beats a One-Time Battle

Ever looked at a paddock that’s gotten away from you? Yeah, nobody enjoys that moment. Instead of leaving fire break maintenance until it's an emergency, make it part of your regular routine. A quick pass every few weeks is easier than tackling metre-high weeds in a heatwave.

If you schedule maintenance around other jobs—like slashing a section every time you refill the troughs—it’ll never pile up into a marathon task. Even better, you'll avoid the dreaded call to borrow a neighbour’s tractor when your own mower gets swallowed by the grass.

Choose Ground Cover Wisely

If bare dirt isn’t your look, consider planting low-growing, fire-resistant alternatives instead of battling fast-growing grass. Some indigenous ground covers are slow to regrow and don’t become a fuel hazard, saving you hours of maintenance.

Mulching around trees and fence lines also helps keep weeds at bay. Less weed growth means less slashing and whipper-snipping, which is a win all around.

Use Livestock to Your Advantage

Got a few hungry mouths on the property? Put them to work! Sheep and goats are top-tier grass munchers and can help keep fire breaks trimmed down. Move stock through high-risk areas regularly, and they’ll do half the job for you.

Just keep an eye on them—while they’re great at clearing out long grass, they can also be a bit too enthusiastic about eating saplings and fence posts.

Stay Ahead of Inspections

Every year, councils check fire breaks to make sure properties meet requirements. Nothing’s worse than realising yours isn’t up to scratch when you get a notice to fix it. If you keep on top of maintenance year-round, there won’t be a mad rush to get things sorted at the last minute.

A tidy, well-maintained break isn’t just about dodging fines—it gives you peace of mind when fire season kicks into high gear.

Make It Easy on Yourself

If clearing fire breaks feels like a mountain-sized job, it’s time to make some smart changes. The right tools, a little consistency, and a few clever strategies will save you hours of work. With that weight off your shoulders, you can focus on the parts of rural life that actually bring you joy.

Next time you're running low on fuel, need a new mower blade, or just want solid advice from people who live on the land too, drop by Strathalbyn H Hardware. We’ve got the gear, the know-how, and a friendly chat waiting for you.