NATIVE FOREST TREE BOUNDARIES ONLY
I accept that these guidelines may not be the best, or in any way complete ( mainly focused on road use decisions with cars near native tree forest in southern Australia ) but they seem to be better than always talking about "a plan" . Please advise on any needed adjustments.Posted January 2013 .
This post was made because the car death a few days ago at Seaton illustrates the EXTREMELY HIGH RISK people are taking by living in and staying in a native forest situation.
(Most Australian Native forests are constantly shedding bark and leaves , contain lots of wax and oil and shed these things even more during dry windy periods )STOP
The only reasonably safe place to be in a car is when the car is at least the distance away from Native forest species as that specified below ( Forest should be at least twice the distance away as it is high ) . In otherwords if the fire is in grassland staying in cars is reasonable to be considered .Staying in cars is :not normally safe in cars in forest. That is, there is probably no safe space near native forest species forest.
GO
if you haven't got at least 30 metres ( by which I mean should be at least 40metres - see CFA guidelines which includes an aspect consideration )of cleared ground between you and the fire you probably shouldn't be there. While wind speed and aspect makes a big difference to the degree of risk . No way you should stay if wind speed is even moderate or expected to be so on the day .If the land slopes to the north or the west away from you the need to go is clearer still _think of open forest as standing kindling .
USE WIND SPEED , ASPECT OF LAND and FUEL AMOUNTS to help make decisions and see earlier posts .Study previous events and note safer places nominated .