Along with cyclones and floods, bushfires have always been apart of the Australian natural environment. Increasing population has meant that more homes are being built in the outer parts of cities. These regions are close to natural bushland where there might be bushfires in the future.
Prepare Your Home and Property:
Thorough preparation before the bushfire season can greatly increase your chances of surviving and perhaps your home and property. Fine fuels can have a huge impact on the fire intensity and spread.
- Create and maintain a fire break (a green oasis) around your home
- Keep grass length below 10cm
- Clear gutters
- Trim overhanging branches
Remember, removal of certain trees may require a planning permit.
Have A Plan:
When a fire is approaching, the first thing you need to do is decide whether you will evacuate or stay and fight the fire. Don’t leave decisions to the last minute. Plan now for an emergency.
Things to consider:
- What will you take?
- Where will you go?
- Which route will you take? (have a B plan)
- How do you support people with additional needs?
- What about your pets and other animals?
Most importantly, know your plan when you are going to leave, and don’t leave it too late.
Recommended Books:
Fire Wise, Fire-Safe: How to Survive a Bushfire by Richard Whitaker
Firewise, Fire-safe tells you to how to protect yourself and your home from a bushfire. This book helps you prepare for a bushfire and advises on what to do when a fire threatens you and your home. There is preparation information for when the fire approaches, when the fire arrives and after the fire. First aid is approved by St John Ambulance and there is a list of emergency contacts.
Prepare, Act, Survive: Your Fire ready Kit by Country Fire Authority
Contents of kit designed to help you understand your risk, prepare your property and develop a bushfire survival plan.
Fire Country: How Indigenous Fire Management Could Save Australia by Victor Steffensen
Also available as an eBook (Libby).
Delving deep into the Australian landscape and the environmental challenges we face, Fire Country is a powerful account from Indigenous land management expert Victor Steffensen on how the revival of Indigenous fire practices, including improved ’reading’ of country and undertaking ’cool burns’, could help to restore our nation.
For Kids:
Bushfires in Australia by John Lesley
Thousands of years ago Indigenous Australians developed ways of managing bushfires so that the landscapes they cared for would not suffer catastrophic destruction. Today firefighters also undertake hazard reduction burns to keep areas safe from monster bushfires.
The Bushfire Book: How to Be Aware and Prepare by Polly Marsden
Also available on StoryBox.
A book that teaches children what they need to know about bushfires so they can understand what's happening and be smart and prepared, not scared. Bushfires can make a real mess of things. But we don't need to be scared, we just need to know all about bushfires and prepare for them. This book will help you understand what causes bushfires, introduce you to all the clever people who are keeping an eye on them, and teach you how to be prepared and not scared.