ºÚÁÏÉç

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you live in the Built-up areas to the large blocks are all prone to bushfires. So, knowing what to expect can help you make your decision whether you leave or not.
I live close to grassland and Bush

What to Expect:

• Grass fires can start and spread easily and quickly, not only destroying homes but also property and livelihoods
• Grass fires are very hot and can produce huge amounts of heat
• As grass dries out or cures, it can catch fire more easily
• Fires in tall grass will have tall flames that may burn across trails, roads or fire breaks
• Grass fires can move much faster than a bush fire, often catching people off guard

I live in an area where the bush or grasslands meet built-up areas

What to Expect

• Fires can spread quickly from parks and reserves, threatening your home, fences or gardens
• Thick smoke from the fire might make it difficult to see or breathe
• Burning embers can travel through the air, setting fire to properties a significant distance away from the burn

Fire behaviour
There are a number of things which can affect the way a fire burns, including:

• Slope – a fire travelling uphill will travel faster becoming more intense and more dangerous.
• Vegetation – smaller items such as twigs, branches and leaves are known as 'fine fuels'. These can burn very easily. Burning bark, twigs and leaves can also be blown in the wind.
• Weather – when it's hot, dry and windy, fires can be more intense and unpredictable. Strong winds can send a fire in different directions and cause burning embers to be blown through the air.

BEING PREPARED

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has a wide range of information available to keep the community informed of bushfire risks.

The Bushfire Preparation Toolkit is an essential guide with information about knowing your fire risk; preparing your property; fire breaks; protective clothing; sheltering in your home and having a fire plan. You can access the toolkit below.

Bushfire Preparation Toolkit

Emergency Plan (My Fire Plan)

Do not underestimate the need to have an Emergency Plan for your home, pets and family. A well considered and usable plan that is discussed and tested by your family may well save a life of someone you love dearly and your home.

Creating a bushfire plan takes only 15 minutes and can save the lives of your family and your home.

LEAVE OR STAY AND DEFEND

If you are unsure, we recommend leaving early. It is your safest option.

Don’t risk putting your life and your family’s lives at risk in a bushfire emergency.

Take 15 minutes to complete your ‘Be safe and leave early’ plan.

Your bushfire safety plan will help you identify:

• Who you need to protect
• When you need to leave
• Where you will find shelter
• Who you should notify
• What items you need in your bushfire emergency kit
• Your backup plan

Leaving Early

Great choice! It’s not worth putting your life and your family’s lives at risk.

Leaving early is your safest option in a bushfire emergency.

Take 15 minutes to complete your ‘Be safe and leave early’ plan.

Your bushfire safety plan will help you identify:

• Who you need to protect
• When you need to leave
• Where you will find shelter
• Who you should notify
• What items you need in your bushfire emergency kit
• Your backup plan

Stay and Defend

Being in a bushfire could be the most traumatic experience of your life. You may have to fight spot fires for hours, even days at a time.

To stay and defend you must:

• Be physically and emotionally strong
• Have the necessary protective clothing and firefighting equipment
• Carry out ongoing property preparation activities
• Know when to put your plan into action
• Have a backup plan to shelter if the fire overpowers your property and you cannot leave
• Before completing your plan, take 5 minutes to answer some key questions to help determine if ‘Stay and defend’ is the right plan for you and your family

Not Appropriate Fire Fighting Attire

Appropriate Fire Fighting Attire

STAY INFORMED

Radio
Community Alerts are available on the local radio, ABC Midwest and television stations. It is a good idea to have a battery-operated AM/FM radio with extra batteries on hand to keep up to date with the regular updates broadcasted.

Available Radio Stations for Geraldton and Midwest
ABC MIDWEST & WHEATBELT

Download the ABC Listen App on Apple or Android devices and select ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt - Note this will only be accessible if mobile data signal is available.

Websites

AUSTRALIAN FIRE DANGER RATING SYSTEM

Australia’s fire danger rating system has been improved and simplified to make it easier for you to make decisions to stay safe on days of fire danger risk.

Across the country, fire and emergency services are applying nationally consistent colours, signs and terminology. This means that wherever you go in Australia, and whatever the season or bushfire fuels you’re surrounded by, you can understand the level of threat and what you need to do to stay safe.

The Fire Danger Rating system applies the latest scientific information about weather, fuel and how fire behaves in different types of vegetation to improve the reliability of fire danger forecasts.

The new Fire Danger Rating System has four levels. Each level tells you how dangerous a bushfire could be if one starts and comes with clear actions to take. The higher the Fire Danger Rating, the more severe the bushfire could be.
Fire Danger Ratings are important when deciding on your trigger to leave in your bushfire plan.

Click here for a printable Australian Fire Danger Rating System information sheet