Wildfire

Wildfires can happen at any time of the year so your actions can make all the difference.

Reduce the risk of wildfire

You don’t need to live in a rural area to be at risk from wildfire. If there’s vegetation close by and the potential for someone to generate a spark, then there’s a wildfire risk.

Don’t wait until there’s smoke in the air to prepare. Help protect your property from wildfire.

Protect your property from wildfire

For information on how to Protect your home from outdoor fires

  • Keep your grass short and green if possible, around buildings on your property
  • Keep gutters and areas around decks clear of dead leaves, debris and pine needles
  • Remove highly flammable plants close to buildings on your property. This includes avoiding bark mulch or similar ground coverings
  • Plant low flammability plants Flammability of Plant Species
  • If you have a RAPID number, make sure it is visible at your property entrance. Your accessway must be wide enough for a fire engine (4m wide x 4m high).

Get Ready

Before a wildfire

  • Always check whether it’s safe to light a fire and if you’ll need a fire permit at Check it's alright
  • Practice good fire safety when doing anything that could cause a spark
  • Plan your escape route. When planning your route, you won’t always know what direction the fire is coming from. It’s important to have more than one way out.
  • Identify a safe zone that is clear of vegetation in case you can’t evacuate and have to shelter in place. You may need to shelter in place on your property or in your community that has:
    • Large areas of concrete
    • Well maintained short grass or
    • Large volumes of water

Get Home Ready

  • Work out what supplies you might need and make a plan with your family. Make sure you include animals in your plan.
  • Know how you will stay informed. Emergency Services will always try to alert you to an approaching wildfire. But there may not be time to issue an official warning. Be aware of what is happening in your area, particularly if you see or smell smoke on a hot or windy day, as fire can move very quickly.

What to do during a wildfire

If in doubt, get out!

Wildfires move very quickly. If you see smoke or flames form a wildfire and you feel unsafe, don’t wait for an official warning to leave. Evacuate immediately. Call 111 if your life or property is threatened or you can evacuate on your own.

If you have time before you evacuate:

  • Turn on sprinklers
  • Fill gutters with water and
  • Wet down materials like firewood that may fuel the fire

If there is time you can:

  • Move vehicle to a safe location
  • Move lightweight outdoor items inside
  • Wet down the sides buildings, decks and plants close to your home
  • Move animals and livestock to well grazed or ploughed area
  • Close windows, doors

Useful information