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Bushfire

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Overview

For up to date and current bushfire safety information and information about fire safety programs please visit the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) website: www.fire.tas.gov.au

Know your bushfire risk, make a plan.

You can help reduce the effects of bushfires by knowing what to do.

There are a number of things you can do before, during and after a bushfire to protect yourself.

Bushfire - Introduction

Before

Prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan – be bushfire ready;

Prepare your home – create a defendable space;

Provide access for firefighters; and

Provide water for firefighting.

Work together

Before bushfire danger period (generally October to April each year), learn about your bushfire risk and prepare accordingly.

You could:

  • invite the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) to present bushfire awareness and education sessions;
  • organise a community resilience workshop;
  • prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan;
  • learn from past bushfire experiences;
  • put together an emergency kit which includes:
    • a battery-operated or wind-up radio;
    • a battery-operated or wind-up torch;
    • spare batteries;
    • a first aid kit;
    • rubber gloves and strong leather or garden gloves;
    • mobile phone and charger;
    • a waterproof bag or container;
    • a good supply of medicines and prescriptions;
    • strong shoes or boots;
    • a copy of your Emergency Plan;
    • special items for any vulnerable people, such as babies or the disabled; and
    • enough non-perishable food and water for every person (and pets)

Download detailed guide on preparing an emergency kit

Stay or go?

When a bushfire is in your area, the most important decision you have to make it to decide whether to leave, or to stay and defend your property. Leaving early is always the safest option.

  • If you decide to leave, leave early. Most people who die in bushfires are caught in the open, either in their car or on foot, because they leave their property too late when the fire is approaching.
  • Think about:
    • when to go
    • where to go and how to get there
    • who to tell
    • what to take
  • If you decide to stay and defend your property, make sure:
    • your home is well prepared;
    • you are physically fit and emotionally prepared; and
    • fire conditions are less than ‘extreme’.

Staying to defend a well-prepared property during a bushfire always carries the risk of injury or death.

Advice before a bushfire

During

  • follow your Bushfire Survival Plan;
  • monitor the TFS and TasALERT websites and your local ABC Radio station;
  • pack your emergency kit into your car;
  • prepare your property, even if leaving:
    • block drainpipes and fill gutters with water; and
    • remove flammable items from the exterior of the house (blinds, outdoor furniture, doormats, hanging baskets);
  • if you are staying, actively defend your home.

After

  • Keep listening for radio updates for road re-openings, community meetings etc.
  • If you were evacuated, do not return home until authorities tell you it is safe.
  • Be aware of road hazards, such as trees or powerlines on the road, damaged roads and bridges or crews working on clean-up and repairs.
  • If you have been affected by the fire:
    • do not turn on your gas and electricity until you are sure it is safe to do so;
    • have all wiring, gas and electrical equipment tested by an electrician;
    • wear strong boots, gloves and other protective clothing during clean-up; and
    • boil all drinking water until authorities say the water supply is back to normal.

For further information go to www.fire.tas.gov.au

Advice after a bushfire

Hazards