Preparing for bushfire season

A bushfire is an unplanned fire that burns through vegetation.¹ Bushfires are a natural and essential part of our Australian landscape, with the capacity to both promote and negatively affect biodiversity and the continuation of different species.²

While bushfires can happen at any time, the risk for fire danger can increase during some months and can differ across the country.³ We refer to these times as 'peak fire danger seasons'.
 

• Northern Australia: June to November
• Central latitudes: mid-October to mid-January
• Southern Australian: December to February

Bushfires can ignite due to weather or human factors. Extreme temperatures, strong winds and lightning are common natural causes, while human causes may be deliberate or accidental (such as burning off at the wrong time, or having an errant spark fly from machinery or a BBQ).

3 factors drive the intensity, speed and duration of bushfires. These include:

Fuel: this is the vegetation that ignites. Different vegetation (including the type and shape of vegetation) can influence how a bushfire spreads.⁴ Trees, grass, shrubs, scrub and twigs are all examples of 'fuel'.

Weather: high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity are key factors contributing to increased fire risk. A change in wind direction is one of the most dangerous influences on fire behaviour. 

Terrain: the environment plays a key role in determining a bushfire's speed. For example, fires burn faster travelling uphill. For every 10˚ slope, the fire will double its speed.⁵ Conversely, fires tend to move slower on descending slopes.

Advice: the yellow triangle means a fire incident has started, but there's no immediate danger.

Watch and act: the orange triangle means there's a heightened threat level for fire. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action to stay safe.

Emergency warning: the red triangle is the highest level of warning, altering you to imminent danger and imploring you to take immediate action.  

Below, we've supplied a list of incident and warning maps specific to each state and territory. You might consider bookmarking the relevant link to your phone, desktop or tablet for future reference. It's also worth investigating what local apps, radio stations and community boards might be relevant to your area to download, tune or follow for updates.

There are many things you can do to help prepare your home for fire season, especially if you live in a rural or regional location.

Managing and reducing fuel loads around your home may help increase its survival from a bushfire. Therefore, some homes in rural and regional locations may not require a permit to clear trees, branches and scrub from around a home to help reduce bushfire risk.

Below, we've provided some state-based resources to help you start to work out what might be allowed in your location. If in doubt, contact your local council.

In addition to clearing trees and vegetation, homes — especially ones in rural and regional locations — may also benefit from some extra maintenance and checks:

Gaps and cracks can appear in homes due to age, heat and building material. Gaps and cracks should be sealed when you find them, as they can provide entry points for embers and surface fire.⁶

During a bushfire, water is in extreme demand. This may lead to reduced supply and interruptions. Here are some things to consider depending on your property:

• If you're near a pond or dam: consider preparing these as back-up water sources (for fighting fire, not drinking) by installing the necessary pumps, hoses, and piping.⁷
• If you have a water tank: ensure the water storage is topped up during total fire ban days.⁸
• If you have a swimming pool: store pool chemicals away from the house and any other flammable structures.⁷

Many home insurance policies offer cover for fire damage and other extreme weather, but it's important to check your specific policy to ensure you know exactly what you're covered for. Review any building, contents and landlord insurance policies you have and any exclusions or limits that might apply. If you're unsure of anything, contact your insurer.