Preparing for bushfires
While bushfires can be unpredictable and destructive, there are steps you can take to prepare.
Bushfires are a natural part of the Australian environment but despite this, many are caught unprepared when one occurs.
Although there are elements of a bushfire that you can't control − such as the weather − planning and preparing your home for a bushfire can significantly increase the chances of survival for your family and home.
If you live in an bushfire prone area, it is important to minimise the risk to your family and your home, and take action to survive a bushfire.
Prepare emergency kit & plan
A well-prepared home is more likely to survive a bushfire.
Emergency alerts
Understand bushfire warnings and what actions you may need to take in response.
Protect your home
Take measures to make your home safer with maintenance and permanent solutions.
Understand your risk
- Your state/territory Fire & Emergency Service or Rural Fire Service can help you better understand your bushfire risk. Many have mapping tools that will show if you live in a high-, moderate- or low-risk area.
- Bushfires usually occur when managed and unmanaged vegetation ignites and are most likely when weather conditions are hot and dry. Human activity (accidental or deliberate) or natural causes (e.g. lightning) can start a bushfire. The higher the temperature and lower the humidity, the more likely it is that a fire will start or continue. Strong winds can also cause the bushfire to intensify and/or spread.
- Along with the bushfire itself, toxic fumes and smoke can cause significant health issues, even if the bushfire isn't an immediate threat to your property.
Emergency plan
- Have a discussion with your family members to decide what you’ll do if there’s a bushfire.
- Make sure that ALL your family members know your bushfire plan and know where the community evacuation area is.
- If you have pets or animals, plan what you will do in the event of an emergency.
- If there is a Community Fire Unit nearby, consider becoming a member.
Preparing your evacuation emergency bushfire kit
Along with emergency supplies, your emergency kit should also include sentimental or valuable items that can't be replaced.
Items to pack ahead of time:
- Important legal documents/valuables (photos, jewellery, medals, etc)
- Spare clothing, sturdy shoes, towels, & hygiene items
- First aid kit
- Drinking water and non-perishable food (including for pets if you have any).
Items to add as you leave:
- Wallet/purse
- House and car keys
- Medications and medical equipment (e.g. CPAP)
- Phone/laptop/chargers
- Pet supplies (e.g. bowl, food, carrier, leads).
Preparing your 'staying in place' emergency kit
Staying at home should be an absolute last option if all other plans fail and you can't leave. If you plan to stay, be well prepared and have backup plans:
- Ensure you have independent water, power, and protective equipment and clothing.
- Store your emergency kit in a fireproof box and include items needed to survive before and after bushfire.
- Survival supplies for people and pets for at least five days including food, drinking water and medications.
- First aid/trauma kit.
- Important legal documents/valuables/emergency contact numbers.
- Waterproof torch and battery powered lights.
- Battery operated AM/FM radio.
- Smoke and particle masks.
- Non-flammable blankets.
- Protective non-flammable clothing.
Pets & livestock
- Give your pets and livestock the best chance at survival by having a plan and acting early.
- Where possible, move them to another location away from the bushfire.
- If you they can't be moved to another location, find a safe area for them to shelter on your property. For livestock, this should be a large, well-fenced sandy area without trees or buildings nearby, and easy access to a dam, food and water.
If you live in a bushfire prone area, become familiar with the warning systems and sign up for alerts from your state or territory Fire & Emergency Services or Rural Fire Service. Some publish bushfire maps where you can see where current fires are taking place and/or your risk level.
Bushfire Warning System
Australia has a national Bushfire Warning System. When a bushfire occurs, the fire authorities will put out a fire warning, which tells you how much danger you are in:
- Advice: A fire has started but you are not in immediate danger. Stay alert and watch for signs of a fire such as smoke and flames. Be aware and keep up to date. Now is the time to make any last minute preparations for your property and ready your emergency kit. Evacuate pets/livestock or move them to a safe place on your property.
- Watch & Act: A fire is approaching and there is a possible threat to lives or homes. It's time to put your emergency plan into action. If your plan is to leave, make sure you leave early. If you plan to stay, ensure you have equipment ready. Staying should be your absolute last resort, as it could cost you your life.
- Emergency Warning: This is the highest level warning. An out of control fire is approaching fast and you must take immediate action to survive. Leave now if it is safe to do so, or seek shelter immediately. If this warning has been issued, it is too late to prepare your home.
Source: Queensland Fire & Emergency Services
Regular maintenance
- Clean leaves from gutters, roofs and downpipes regularly, and fit quality metal leaf guards.
- Mow your grass regularly, both in the front and back yards.
- Keep your backyard tidy, free from any build-up of flammable material.
- Relocate any flammable items away from your home including woodpiles, paper, boxes, crates, hanging baskets and garden furniture.
- Remove excess ground fuels and other combustible material.
- Do not deposit tree loppings, grass clippings and other materials that could aid a fire on your property, or on council reserves or bushland.
- Ensure your garden hoses are long enough to reach the perimeter boundary of your property.
- Trim low-lying branches two metres from the ground surrounding your home.
Installing permanent safeguards for your home
- Install fine steel wire mesh screens on all windows, doors, vents and weepholes.
- Fit metal NOT plastic fly screens on windows and doors.
- Enclose open areas under your decks and floors.
- Seal all gaps in external roof and wall cladding.
- When installing LPG cylinders around your home, make sure that pressure relief valves face outwards so that flame is not directed towards the house.
- Plant trees and shrubs that are less likely to ignite due to their lower oil content.
- If you have a swimming pool, have a Static Water Supply sign placed on your front fence. Contact your local fire station for more information.
- Consider purchasing a portable pump to use from your swimming pool or water tank.
- On Total Fire Ban days, obey regulations regarding barbecues and open fires.
- Make sure that if there is a fire hydrant outside your home, it is easily located and not obstructed.
Protecting your property
Even if your plan is to leave early, the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will survive a bush fire or ember attack. A well-prepared home can also be easier for you or firefighters to defend, and is less likely to put your neighbours' homes at risk. A well-prepared home will also give you more protection if a fire threatens suddenly and you cannot leave.
1. Have a plan
Decide what you'll do in the event of a bushfire.
2. Act early
Increase your chances of survival and reduce damage.
3. Evacuate if needed
Nobody wants to abandon their home but it may be your only option.
- Preparation for a bushfire is also about making sure you consider your physical, mental and emotional preparedness. If you have any doubts about your ability to cope, you should plan to leave early.
- Now is the time to enact your bushfire plan. Notify family and friends of the emergency situation and your plan.
- Stay calm and report all fires by ringing 000.
- Don't enter the bush if there’s smoke or fire in the area.
- Check if elderly neighbours need assistance.
- Patrol the outside of your home, putting out any embers and spot fires that may start.
- Close all windows, doors and shutters.
- If possible, block your downpipes (a sock full of sand/soil will help) and fill roof gutters with water.
- If possible, block gaps beneath doors with wet blankets or towels.
- Collect water in buckets/bath.
- Have your emergency kit ready to go and ensure your household knows your emergency plan.
- Wet down timber decks and gardens close to the house if the fire is approaching.
- Bring your garden hose inside so that it won't melt in the fire and can still be used.
- Do not stand on your roof with your hose. In bushfires, often more people are injured by falling from roofs than suffering burns.
- Keep ladders, shovels and metal buckets at hand to help put out spot fires.
- Keep a torch and a portable battery-operated radio in the home in case electricity supply fails.
- Comply with authorities if ordered to evacuate.
- Ensure non-household family or friends are notified when you evacuate and where you plan to take refuge.
- Drink plenty of water so you do not dehydrate.
For more information, contact your local fire station or fire control centre. In an emergency, call 000.
The information provided is intended to be of a general nature only. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result.
