Bushfire Report

                                                                                                     ACT
Photo courtesy of Morning Bulletin Rockhampton




                                                                                                    There are different actions you need to undertake
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   SURVIVE
                                                                                                    depending on the circumstances and your Bushfire                                                                               If you choose to stay:
                                                                                                    Survival Plan.                                                                                                                 • shelter in your house on the opposite
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     side of approaching fire

                                                                                                    If you decide to stay
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   • maintain a means of escape
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   • continually monitor conditions.
                                                                                                    If your plan is to stay, you need at least the following
                                                                                                    firefighting equipment and protective clothing:                                                                                After the fire front has passed:

                                                                                                    • Sufficient lengths of hose to reach all buildings that
                                                                                                                                                                  Fire in the area                                                 • wear protective equipment



                                                 PREPARE
                                                                                                      could be threatened                                                                                                          • go outside once it is safe
                                                                                                    • Buckets and alternative water supplies                      • Listen to local broadcasts or check websites for updates.      • check for small spot fires and burning embers:
                                                                                                    • Shovels, rakes, wet towels, sacks or other heavy            • Put on protective clothing.                                      - inside roof space
                                                                                                      material that can be used to put out small fires            • Drink lots of water.                                             - under floor boards
                                                 To prepare your Bushfire Survival Plan visit       • Torch                                                       • Move car/s to a safe location.                                   - under house space
                                                 www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au and follow the links.                                                                   • Close windows and doors and shut blinds.
                                                                                                    • First-aid kit                                                                                                                  - on veranda and decks
                                                                                                    • Full-length clothing (wool, cotton)                         • Take down curtains and move furniture away                       - on window ledges and door sills
                                                 Some of the issues you need to consider:
                                                                                                    • Gloves                                                        from windows.                                                    - in roof lines and gutters
                                                 • Does everyone in your family understand the                                                                    • Bring pets inside and restrain them (leash, cage,
                                                                                                    • Water bottles or containers to                                                                                                 - garden beds and mulch
                                                   dangers of bushfire and how your plan will be                                                                    or secure room) and provide water.
                                                                                                      carry drinking water with you.                                                                                                 - woodheaps
                                                   put into action?                                                                                               • Block downpipes (at the top) and fill gutters with               - outdoor furniture
                                                 • Have you arranged appropriate car and                                                                            water if possible.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   • monitor media outlets – radio, TV and internet.
                                                   household insurance?
                                                 • Do you know what you will take with you if
                                                                                                    High fire danger days                                         • Wet down the sides of buildings and close shrubbery in
                                                                                                                                                                    the likely path of the bushfire.                               The safest place is to be away from the fire. Being
                                                   you need to leave early?                         On hot, dry days when bushfires are likely, listen to local
                                                                                                                                                                  • Wet down fine fuels close to buildings.                        involved in a fire may be one of the most traumatic
                                                 • Have you considered how to deal with pets        radio stations for bushfire information, drink plenty of
                                                                                                                                                                  • Turn on garden sprinklers for 30 minutes before the            experiences in your life. Survival and safety depends on
                                                   and livestock?                                   water and, if you live on acreage or a farm, move stock to
                                                                                                                                                                    bushfire arrives.                                              the decisions you make. Are you bushfire prepared?
                                                                                                    fully grazed areas. It is also a good idea to check water
                                                 No matter what the details of your Bushfire        pumps and generators (if you have them) to make sure                                                                           On days where the Fire Danger Rating is predicted to be
                                                 Survival Plan are, there are other important
                                                 preparations you need to make. These include
                                                                                                    they are working, and prepare your protective clothing in
                                                                                                    case you need it quickly.
                                                                                                                                                                  When the fire front arrives                                      extreme or catastrophic, leaving is the best option for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   you and your family’s survival. Thinking ‘I will leave early’
                                                 preparing your property, preparing to leave, and                                                                 • Disconnect hose and fittings and bring inside.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   is not enough. You must PREPARE ACT SURVIVE
                                                                                                                                                                  • Go inside for shelter.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                 preparing yourself. These are essential steps                   To find out more information visit
                                                 and you can find out more about them at                              www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au                    • Drink lots of water.                                           It is important, no matter what your decision, that
                                                 www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au                                                                                         • Patrol and check for embers inside, particularly in the roof   you are thoroughly prepared. To find out how visit
                                                                                                                                                                    space.                                                         www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
                                                                                                                                                                  • Check family and pets.