Planning to survive a bushfire
Courtesy of the Government of South Australia and the CFS Country Fire Service
www.cfs.sa.gov.au
There are a number of complex and personal issues to be considered in your decision. These include:
- Are you physically able to defend your home?
- Are you mentally prepared to face fire?
- Will all of your household be able to cope?
- Are you prepared to stay with your house after the fire has passed?
You must assess your individual situation and decide now to either stay or go.
Some contingency planning may be necessary but flexibility should never extend to last minute evacuation.
Planning to Stay:
If you plan to stay you must prepare your property to ensure your family, pets and home will survive a bushfire.
Contingency planning is encouraged in case you are absent from your property and are unable to return to defend your home during a bushfire. Care should be taken if you are considering returning home - a decision is difficult to plan in advance and can only be assessed on the day of the fire. Fires can move rapidly, change direction or start ahead of the fire front due to spotting. Personal survival is more important than property so consider the following factors when making your decision:
-
Will you have time to get home safely?
-
Is access going to be an issue?
-
Will you be obstructing the authorities from accessing the fire scene?
Alternatively, if your lifestyle allows it, you may choose to stay home on a Total Fire Ban or high-risk day.
Life and property can be saved by able bodied people remaining in their homes, given adequate and timely preparation and planning.
See Other Important Information:
Planning to Stay and Defend
Planning to Go Early
Top