Wherever you are located, it’s important to understand the risk factors based on the geography of your location. This is not applicable to only those living in dense rural bushland but also those close to cities. Here is a breakdown of things to watch for based on the terrain that surrounds your location (source: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/)
Rural Bushland
- These areas are prone to incredibly hot, fast blazes
- Because of the amount of fuel the fire has embers can land on your property hours after the fire has moved past
- The intense environment can produce excess smoke making it difficult to navigate from your vehicle
- The radiant heat can reach such a temperate that your house can catch fire without coming into contact with the flames directly
- Watch for spot fires as these can produce embers that blow directly onto your home
Grassland or Paddocks
- During the Australian summer, these grasslands and paddocks are very dry which makes them very susceptible to catching fire
- These flames spread very quickly (particularly uphill) and produce an intense heat that can kill anyone out in the open
- Be aware that these grassland fires can move much faster than those in rural bushfire areas so good preparation and monitoring warnings are important
Outer Suburbs
(intersection of grasslands/bush and built-up areas)
- The embers from these fires can travel great distances (many kilometres) so watch for these as they can become spot fires – so even homes which are not pressed against the danger zones are at risk of ember attack
- Roads can be difficult to navigate during an evacuation as the visibility drops from the increase in smoke (it can also become difficult to breathe)
Living On The Coast
- Those living on the coast still need to be careful as coastal scrub can burn very quickly
- Burning embers can create spot fires around your home
- Evacuation can be dangerous as there are fewer roads out making transport options crowded
- Fewer main roads also mean if the blaze blocks one then it can prevent evacuation so leave early
