Tuesday, January 22, 2013

When is it reasonably safe to stay where you are when bushfire front hits?

Difficult to give a definitive, but as a guide ONLY .Get more advice on your local situation and the nature of fuel in your area .Assumming a fire front and wind from the north or west .
1. In a car     when the grass around you is low and no native forest within 30 metres ( preferably more )The higher the timber, the greater the distance needs to be between you and the fuel .If stuck ,stay in the car and cover yourself with a woollen blanket . If you have to get out wear overalls .
2. In a house Much the same as above but houses will be much more susceptible to windows breaking and embers starting fires on the ground or in the roof .If there is no tall easily burnt fuel to the north or west of where you are, its probably reasonably safe but embers could mean you need to go outside to put fires out .
3.On a hill  if at all possible stay on the lee side of hills or landscape features ( east side of road cuttings is generally safer in high wind situations.
4. In a town   Native Trees in particular anywhere near houses can be very dangerous .Embers must be watched should they occur .