Bushfire Report

Trees with loose, fibrous or stringy bark should be avoided. These trees can easily
ignite and encourage the ground fire to spread up to, and then through, the
crown of the trees.


     Plants that are less flammable, have the following features:
     • high moisture content
     • high levels of salt
     • low volatile oil content of leaves
     • smooth barks without “ribbons” hanging from branches or trunks; and
     • dense crown and elevated branches.

When choosing less flammable plants, be sure not to introduce noxious or
environmental weed species into your garden that can cause greater long-term
environmental damage.

For further information on appropriate plant species for your locality, contact
your local council, plant nurseries or plant society.

If you require information on how to care for fire damaged trees, refer to the
Firewise brochure Trees and Fire Resistance; Regeneration and care of fire
damaged trees.


WIND BREAKS
Rows of trees can provide a wind break to trap embers and flying debris that
could otherwise reach the house or asset.

You need to be aware of local wind conditions associated with bush fires and
position the wind break accordingly. Your local RFS Fire Control Centre can
provide you with further advice.

When choosing trees and shrubs, make sure you seek advice as to their
maximum height. Their height may vary depending on location of planting and
local conditions. As a general rule, plant trees at the same distance away from
the asset as their maximum height.
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When creating a wind break, remember that the object is to slow the wind and to
catch embers rather than trying to block the wind. In trying to block the wind,
turbulence is created on both sides of the wind break making fire behaviour
erratic.