Bushfires are a natural part of our Australian landscape. As we approach the extreme heat and dry weather of summer, it's important to consider minimising risk and preparing for the safety of your family during the bushfire season.
Why is it important to prepare early for bushfire season?
In Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia, we strongly recommend having an Early Leaving Plan in place to ensure you and your family are as prepared as possible in the event of a bushfire.
Planning and understanding your plan is key. We recommend having your plan prepared before summer commences and running through it a couple of times. That way, you can see if it makes sense and in the event of a fire, you’re not enacting your plan for the first time.
How do I know if where I live is at risk in bushfire season?
Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world and in New South Wales, grasslands cover approximately 80% of the state. Serious bushfires are also becoming more frequent in south-west Western Australia. Understanding your level of risk is the first step in knowing what to do before and during a fire. Here’s how you can determine the risk level of the area you live in.
What can I do to prepare myself, my family and those that live with me for bushfire season?
Not everyone thinks clearly in an emergency. A written and well-practised plan will help you and your family remember what needs to be done during a crisis.
If you are located in an area of heightened bushfire risk, you should have a Leave Early Plan as part of emergency preparedness planning. Leave Early Plans should include the following requirements:
- suitable leaving early arrangements for declared catastrophic days or when advised to relocate by Emergency Services.
- safe destinations that are not in heightened bushfire risk areas and which can be safely accessed.
Download Victorian Leave Early Plan
Download New South Wales Bushfire Survival Plan
Download Western Australia Bushfire Plan
A battery operated radio is a good backup device for information. It’s also worth keeping scanned copies of you drivers licence, insurance, credit cards on a USB in your home safety ‘go’ kit in case you need to up and leave quickly.
What are some resources to keep me informed during the season?
You can keep up to date and informed through each states fire service authorities that provide local residents with up-to-date information on total fire bans, catastrophic days and much more.
For Victoria: Country Fire Authority (CFA)
For New South Wales: Rural Fire Service (RFS)
For Western Australia: Emergency WA
For Victorians, we recommend downloading the Emergency Vic app so you get receive warnings close to you including setting your location with 15 to 20 kilometre radius.
Talking to children and young people about bushfire preparations
Preparing for the bushfire season isn’t only about physical preparation. It’s also important that you prepare yourself, your family and the children and young people you care for emotionally and mentally.
Talking to children and young people in a way that suits their age and involving them in decisions and contributions for bushfire preparation, will help them feel emotionally secure and confident, and ensure that they understand how to respond to bushfire emergencies – an essential life skill for anyone living in bushfire prone areas.
With the help of the CFA’s Captain Koala, here’s how you can start the conversation with a child or young person about your bushfire plan.
