Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au

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Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
Fire Ready Kit
Updated 2021

               cfa.vic.gov.au
Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
Everyone.
 Everywhere.
 Every day.

cfa.vic.gov.au
Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
KNOW YOUR FIRE WEATHER DISTRICT

Mallee District                    Wimmera District                  Northern Country District        Central District             Moonee Valley City
Buloke Shire                       Hindmarsh Shire                   Campaspe Shire                   Ballarat City                Moorabool Shire
Gannawarra Shire                   Horsham Rural City                Greater Bendigo City             Banyule City                 Moreland City
Mildura Rural City                 Northern Grampians Shire          Greater Shepparton City          Bass Coast Shire             Mornington Peninsula Shire
Swan Hill Rural City               West Wimmera Shire                Loddon Shire                     Bayside City                 Nillumbik Shire
Yarriambiack Shire                 Yarriambiack Shire                Moira Shire                      Boroondara City              Port Phillip City
(north of the netting fence)       (south of the netting fence)      Strathbogie Shire                Brimbank City                Queenscliffe Borough
                                                                                                      Cardinia Shire               Stonnington City
                                   South West District               North Central District           Casey City                   Surf Coast Shire
                                   Ararat Rural City                 Central Goldfields Shire         Darebin City                 Whitehorse City
                                   Colac Otway Shire                 Lake Mountain Alpine Resort      Frankston City               Whittlesea City
                                   Corangamite Shire                 Mitchell Shire                   French Island                Wyndham City
                                   Glenelg Shire                     Mount Alexander Shire            Glen Eira City               Yarra City
                                   Moyne Shire                       Murrindindi Shire                Golden Plains Shire          Yarra Ranges Shire
                                   Pyrenees Shire                                                     Greater Dandenong City
                                   Southern Grampians Shire          North East District                                           West & South
                                                                                                      Greater Geelong City
                                   Warrnambool City                  Alpine Shire                                                  Gippsland District
                                                                                                      Hepburn Shire
                                                                     Benalla Rural City                                            Baw Baw Shire
                                                                                                      Hobsons Bay City
                                                                     Falls Creek Alpine Resort                                     Latrobe City
                                                                                                      Hume City
                                                                     Indigo Shire                                                  Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort
                                                                                                      Kingston City
                                                                     Mansfield Shire                                               South Gippsland Shire
                                                                                                      Knox City
                                                                     Mount Buller Alpine Resort                                    Wellington Shire
                                                                                                      Macedon Ranges Shire
                                                                     Mount Hotham Alpine Resort
                                                                                                      Manningham City              East Gippsland
                                                                     Mount Stirling Alpine Resort
                Mallee                                               Towong Shire
                                                                                                      Maribyrnong City
                                                                                                      Maroondah City
                                                                                                                                   District
                                                                     Wangaratta Rural City                                         East Gippsland Shire
                                                                                                      Melbourne City
                                                                     Wodonga City
                                                                                                      Melton Shire
                                                                                                      Monash City

                                                                  Northern
          Wimmera                                                 Country                           North East

                                                                            North
                                                                             Central
                                                                                                                                  East
                                                                                                                               Gippsland
                                                                   Central
                South West

                                                                                            West & South
                                                                                             Gippsland

      KNOW YOUR RESTRICTIONS                                                               KNOW YOUR DAILY FIRE DANGER RATING

                                                                                                                                  CODE RED
                               TOTAL FIRE BAN
   otal Fire Bans tell you what you can and can’t do to
  T
                                                                                       Fire Danger Ratings (FDR) tell you how dangerous a fire
  prevent a fire starting and what activities are banned.
                                                                                       would be if one started – the higher the rating, the more
  They are legal restrictions which if broken can be                                   dangerous the conditions. Check your district’s rating
  penalised with large fines and imprisonment.                                         every day during summer. The rating is your trigger to act.

                                                CHECK THE SIGNS. KNOW WHEN TO GO.
                                                  cfa.vic.gov.au | VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226
Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
KNOW YOUR DAILY FIRE DANGER RATING

                                            The Fire Danger Rating predicts fire behaviour (should a fire
                                            start) and how dangerous it would be to put out. The higher
                                            the rating, the more dangerous the conditions. Fire Danger
                                            Ratings feature in weather forecasts during the fire season.
                       CODE RED             To check your district’s daily Fire Danger Rating,
                                            visit cfa.vic.gov.au or call 1800 226 226.

               WHAT DOES IT MEAN?                             WHAT SHOULD I DO?

CODE RED       > T
                  hese are the worst conditions
                 for a bush or grassfire.
                                                              > 	Leaving high-risk bushfire areas the night before
                                                                or early in the day is your safest option – do not
                                                                wait and see.
               > H
                  omes are not designed or
                 constructed to withstand fires               > 	Avoid forested areas, thick bush or long, dry grass.
                 in these conditions.
                                                              > 	Know your trigger – make a decision about:
               > T
                  he safest place to be is away                – when you will leave
                 from high-risk bushfire areas.                 – where you will go
                                                                – how you will get there
                                                                – when you will return
                                                                – what you will do if you cannot leave.

EXTREME        > 	Expect extremely hot, dry
                 and windy conditions.
                                                              > 	Consider staying with your property only if you are
                                                                prepared to the highest level. This means your home
               > 	If a fire starts and takes hold, it will     needs to be situated and constructed or modified to
                 be uncontrollable, unpredictable and           withstand a bushfire, you are well prepared and you
                 fast moving. Spot fires will start, move       can actively defend your home if a fire starts.
                 quickly and come from many directions.       > 	If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving high-
               > 	Homes that are situated and                  risk bushfire areas early in the day is your safest option.
                 constructed or modified to withstand         > B
                                                                 e aware of local conditions. Seek information
                 a bushfire, that are well prepared and         by listening to ABC local radio, commercial and
                 actively defended, may provide safety.         designated community radio stations, or watch
               > 	You must be physically and                   Sky News TV, visit emergency.vic.gov.au, call
                 mentally prepared to defend                    the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 or via
                 in these conditions.                           National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.

SEVERE         > 	Expect hot, dry and possibly
                 windy conditions.
                                                              > 	Well-prepared homes that are actively defended can
                                                                provide safety – check your Bushfire Survival Plan.
               > 	If a fire starts and takes hold,           > 	If you are not prepared, leaving bushfire-prone
                 it may be uncontrollable.                      areas early in the day is your safest option.
               > 	Well-prepared homes that are               > 	Be aware of local conditions. Seek information
                 actively defended can provide safety.          by listening to ABC local radio, commercial and
                                                                designated community radio stations, or watch
               > 	You must be physically and
                                                                Sky News TV, visit emergency.vic.gov.au, call
                 mentally prepared to defend
                                                                the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 or via
                 in these conditions.
                                                                National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.

VERY HIGH      > 	If a fire starts, it can most likely
                 be controlled in these conditions and
                                                              > Check your Bushfire Survival Plan.
                                                              > Monitor conditions.
                 homes can provide safety.
HIGH           > 	Be aware of how fires can start
                 and minimise the risk.
                                                              > Action may be needed.
                                                              > Leave if necessary.

LOW-MODERATE   > 	Controlled burning off may occur
                 in these conditions if it is safe –
                 check to see if permits or conditions
                 apply.
Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
Introduction

Bushfires and grassfires pose a significant threat
to all those living, working or travelling in Victoria.
Preparation and planning can save you and your
family from being killed by fire.

CFA – as always – will do everything possible
to protect lives and property. But there is only
so much that can be done. There will never be
enough firefighters, fire trucks and firefighting
aircraft to have these resources at everyone’s
back door during a large bushfire.

The responsibility for surviving the fire season
is shared between emergency services and
the community. You have a role in ensuring our
community’s safety.

That’s why CFA has developed and updated this
Fire Ready Kit. It is an important resource. It will
help you plan for survival, beginning with the
basics of preparing before the fire season, through
to planning what to do if fire is in your area and
you cannot leave.

There is a section on ‘What you need to do to stay
informed’, including where to find warnings and
updates, and the actions you need to take when
fire is in your area.

Above all, this Kit provides a step-by-step guide
to leaving early – from preparing your leave early
plan before the fire season, to acting on it on a
high-risk day. The decision about when to leave
may be the most important decision you make
during the fire season – quite literally, your life
and the safety of your family may depend on your
decision.

You are not alone in your preparations. Advice
and support are available with details provided
throughout this Kit. Draw on these resources to
make this fire season a safe one.

CFA makes this information available on the understanding that you take reasonable care when using it. If you have any uncertainty
about the application of the information to your particular circumstances, you should obtain further professional advice:
CFA does not accept responsibility for how you apply, or rely on the information in this publication.
FRK 10/2013                                                                                                                          2021 Update   3
Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
Introduction        Am I at Risk?         p5

     Section One     1   Your Bushfire Plan:
                         the Basics            p11

     Section Two     2   On Fire Risk Days:
                         Leaving Early         p17

     Section Three   3   During a Fire:
                         If You Cannot Leave   p21

     Section Four    4   Staying
                         Informed              p29

     Section Five    5   Preparing
                         Your Property         p37

     Section Six     6   Defending
                         Your Property
                         Planning Templates
                                               p57

                         Leaving Early
                         Defending
     Tear outs           Your Property

4   Fire Ready Kit
Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
Introduction

                                                                                               Introduction: Am I at Risk?
Am I at Risk?
The information in this booklet is for people living in high-risk bushfire
or grassfire areas of Victoria. It is designed to help you understand
your risk, know the basics of how fire behaves and think about
what you might do on fire risk days. Having this know-how
is an important first step to being well prepared.

                                                                                  B

 A

                                                                                  D

                          C

 If you live in one of       A   Close to or among grass or paddocks
 these environments,         B   Close to or among dense or open bush
 you need to plan
 and prepare before          C   Near coastal scrub

 the fire season.            D   Where suburbs meet the bush or grasslands

                                                                             2021 Update   5
Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
Close to or among
      grass or paddocks
                                               A
      Grassfires can be
      extremely dangerous –
      people can die in
      grassfires.

    What can you expect?

           ry and brown grass that easily
          D                                           Large amounts of radiant heat.
          catches fire.
                                                      Fires that can start early in the day.
           rass more than 10 centimetres tall will
          G
                                                      Fires that can surge up to
          have a higher flame height and intensity.
                                                       25 kilometres per hour at times.
           aster burning fires than through
          F
          forests as grass is a finer fuel.

6   Fire Ready Kit
Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
Introduction: Am I at Risk?
                                            B         lose to or among
                                                     C
                                                     dense or open bush
                                                     Risk is most extreme if
                                                     you live surrounded by or
                                                     near forest that is difficult
                                                     to see through. However,
                                                     all dense or open bush
                                                     presents a fire risk.

What can you expect?

   Very hot fires and many embers.         Fine fuels (the thickness of a pencil
                                             or less) that burn very quickly.
    mbers such as twigs, bark and debris
   E
   from far away.                           Heavy fuels that will burn
                                             very hot for a long time.
    angerous levels of radiant heat
   D
   and fire intensity.                      A reduction in visibility due
                                             to very thick smoke.
   Trees falling in high winds.
    mbers landing a long time
   E
   after the fire has passed.

                                                                                2021 Update   7
Fire Ready Kit Updated 2021 - cfa.vic.gov.au
Near coastal scrub
                                                                      C
      Burning scrub, heath or other coastal vegetation can
      create hot, dangerous bushfires. If you live by, work
      by or travel to the coast you are at risk. Beaches,
      foreshores and shallow waters may not be safe or
      protect you from radiant heat. A fire may be
      burning between you and the beach.

    What can you expect?

          Very hot and fast-moving fires.      A lot of embers.
           usty ocean winds causing
          G                                     Fire reaching houses quickly.
          fire to behave erratically.
                                                Congested coastal roads.

8   Fire Ready Kit
Introduction: Am I at Risk?
                                             D       Where suburbs meet
                                                     the bush or grasslands
                                                     You do not have to live
                                                     in the bush to be at risk
                                                     of bushfire. Suburban
                                                     homes can burn in
                                                     bushfire too.

What can you expect?

   Scrub, forest and grass catching fire.   A high risk of ember attack if the
                                              house is near dense bushland.
    fire in a park or reserve quickly
   A
   spreading to timber fences and gardens.   Embers falling close to or on your
                                             house which can start a new fire.
   Fire spreading from house to house.
                                             Strong winds that bring embers
                                              from far away.

                                                                                   2021 Update   9
Notes:

10   Fire Ready Kit
Section One       1
Your Bushfire Plan:
the Basics

                      2018 Update   11
Section One
     Your Bushfire Plan: the Basics

     Do I need a plan?

     You don’t have to live in the country to be at risk of fire. Fires
     can occur where the suburbs meet the bush or in urban areas
     where houses have grass, bushland or parkland around them.

     If you live near areas that have significant amounts      Not everyone thinks clearly in an emergency.
     of bush, forest, long grass, or coastal scrub, then       A written, and preferably well-practised plan,
     you need to plan ahead for the fire season.               will help you remember what needs to be
                                                               done during a crisis.
     Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the
     world and it is inevitable that fires will occur every
     year in parts of the state. Fire – by its very nature –
     is unpredictable and difficult to control especially
     on hot, dry, windy days. On these days, a fire may
     start near you.

     What leaving early means

     ‘Leaving early’ means being away from high-risk
     areas before there are any signs of fire.

     In other words, leaving early is a precaution
     you take just in case there is a fire – because
     in some conditions, any fire that starts is likely
     to be uncontrollable.

     Leaving early does not mean waiting for a
     warning or a siren. It does not mean waiting
     to see or smell smoke. And it certainly does
     not mean waiting for a knock on the door.

12   Fire Ready Kit
Why you should leave early

                                                                                                                1   Your Bushfire Plan: the Basics
Because fires can start and spread very quickly in some conditions, leaving
early is by far the safest option for anyone in a high-risk bushfire area.
Many people have died trying to leave their homes at the last minute.

Even a fire that is kilometres away could be          When you should leave
at your door in minutes. In certain conditions,
embers can travel many kilometres in front of         The decision about when to
a fire and a grassfire can travel faster than you
can run. Wind changes are unpredictable and           leave is the most important
can rapidly change the direction or size of a fire.   decision you will make.
Driving in a bushfire is extremely dangerous,
                                                      You will need to carefully read the information
and potentially life threatening. A drive that
                                                      about Fire Danger Ratings earlier in this booklet
would normally take five minutes could take
                                                      and consider your household’s level of risk.
two hours. Road closures, traffic jams,
                                                      The Fire Danger Rating should be your trigger
collisions, smoke, fallen trees and embers
                                                      to enact your plan.
are all real possibilities.
                                                      It is also important to recognise that fires can start
In a bushfire, people may be confused,
                                                      and spread on any day during summer, but also
disoriented and physically or psychologically
                                                      during spring and autumn. It’s up to you to monitor
stressed. In these conditions, making good
                                                      warnings and stay aware of your surroundings –
decisions becomes very difficult.
                                                      for instance, emergency services sirens or the smell
The Defending Your Property section of this           of smoke in the air – right through the fire season.
booklet can help you decide whether or not you
are capable of defending your property – and tells
you about the risks and preparations involved.           IMPORTANT NOTE Do not expect a fire
                                                         truck at your property during a bushfire.

                                                         Do not rely on a warning. It is your
  DEFENDING YOUR PROPERTY
                                                         responsibility to know when to leave.
  Planning to stay and defend is a big
  decision. Defending a home requires at least
  two fit and determined adults, at least 10,000
  litres of water and appropriate firefighting
  hoses and pumps.

  For some, defending a property is a back-up
  option (if they are trapped by fire). Others will
  plan to leave early on some days and stay
  and defend on others, linking their decisions
  to the Fire Danger Ratings. For many others,
  staying to defend is not an option under any
  circumstances.

  Most homes in high-risk bushfire areas
  are not defendable on Code Red days.

                                                                                                 2021 Update   13
How to plan

                                                                                                         Just as every family or household is unique,
                                                                                                         every fire plan will be different. There are many
                                                                                                         ways you can go about your planning – but
                                                Leaving Early
                                                Bushfire Survival Planning Template
                                                                                                         the information and templates in this booklet
                                                                                                         are designed to put you on the right track.

                                                                            cfa.vic.gov.au

           4713_CFA_Pullout_LEAVING_FA.indd 1                                         21/10/13 2:19 PM

     At an absolute minimum, talk through the ten decisions below with your household.
     Review these points before each fire season and don’t put it off until later.

     Before the fire season                                                                                                              REMEMBER...

     Key decisions to make with your family                                                                                              to decide who will do
                                                                                                                                         what as part of your plan.
       1        Which Fire Danger Rating is your trigger to leave?

     2)2 Will you leave early that morning or the night before?

     3)3 Where will you go?

     4)4 What route will you take – and what is your alternative in the event that a fire is already in the area?

     5)5 What will you take with you?

     6)6 What do you need to organise for your pets or livestock?

     7)7 Who do you need to keep informed of your movements?

     8)8 Is there anyone outside your household who you need to help or check up on?

     9)9 How will you stay informed about warnings and updates?

     10 What will you do if there is a fire in the area and you cannot leave?
     10)

14   Fire Ready Kit
1   Your Bushfire Plan: the Basics
Your destination and journey                             Practical checklist –
It’s up to you to decide on a suitable place to          ensure you’re ready
go when you leave early on a fire risk day. If you        ake care of simple, practical actions before
                                                         T
do not have friends or relatives in low-risk areas       the fire season so you are ready to leave or
who you can visit, consider community facilities         seek shelter quickly, calmly and safely.
such as libraries, shopping centres, swimming
pools or cinemas.
                                                               Pack an Emergency Kit with essential
If you don’t have a car you will need to plan              1   items and keep it in a handy place.
carefully to organise transport.
                                                               Scan important documents and photos
                                                           2   onto a memory stick.
Why write down your plan?
                                                               Purchase a battery-operated radio,
Would you remember a plan that’s just in your head         3   powerful torch and extra batteries.
if you’re surrounded by smoke, heat and flames?

A written plan will take the pressure off you,                 Save important contact numbers in your
                                                           4   mobile phone. Include family, friends and
and avoid arguments and delays.
                                                               the Victorian Bushfire Information Line.
In Victoria the bushfire season is long, and a                 Have a spare mobile phone that you
written plan will help reduce uncertainty and anxiety.
                                                               keep fully charged for emergencies.
Having a written plan will reduce the stress and
disruption to your family routine on every occasion            Set aside protective clothing (long-sleeved,
you need to leave early – even if there is no fire.        5   made from natural material like cotton) for
Use the tear-out template included in this                     each member of the family. Put woollen
booklet to help you write down your plan.                      blankets in your car.

                                                               Practise packing your car so you know
                                                           6   how long it will take.
  REMEMBER: Any bushfire plan – written
  or not – is better than no plan.                             Mark your primary routes, alternative routes
                                                           7   and petrol stations on hard copy maps.

                                                               Make firm arrangements with anyone
   EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED                                   8   you plan to visit when you leave early.
   Bushfires can start at any time and your plan               Talk to neighbours or nearby friends
   needs to take into account the unexpected.              9   about how you might help each other.
   For instance, what if you have teenage
   children home alone, children at a friend’s                 Don’t forget pets and horses – include pet
   place or you don’t have access to the family          10    transport containers in your Emergency Kit.
   car? Can you incorporate these different
                                                               Know where you can move your horses to if
   situations into your plan?
                                                               they won’t be safe on your property.
   Talk to neighbours, family and friends about
   different scenarios and how you could help
   each other – simple things like exchanging
   contact numbers can make all the difference.

                                                                                                     2021 Update   15
Your Emergency Kit

                                                                 Adequate amount
     Overnight bag with                                          of water
     change of clothes,
     toiletries and
     sanitary supplies

     Important items
                                                                       Woollen
     › passport
                                                                       blankets
     › photos
     › will
     › jewellery
     › insurance papers

     Medicines and
     First Aid Kit

     Mobile phone                                              Contact information
     and charger                                               › doctor
                                                               › council
                                                               › power company

     Battery-powered radio,
     torch and spare batteries   SHARE YOUR BUSHFIRE PLAN

                                 Once you have prepared your plan, it is a
                                 good idea to share the details of your plan
                                 with family, friends and neighbours. Doing
                                 so will save them a lot of distress when there
                                 is a bushfire, as they will know that you are
                                 prepared and where to find you.

                                 PETS

                                 Remember to prepare for your pets as
                                 well. Make sure your pet is wearing an
                                 identification tag and add the following
                                 items to your Emergency Kit:
                                 ›   suitable transport carriers or leash
                                 ›   any medications
                                 ›   dietary supplements
                                 ›   food and drinking water
                                 ›   a familiar item (toy, bed, treats)
                                      to help reduce stress.

16   Fire Ready Kit
Section Two      2
On Fire Risk Days:
Leaving Early

                     2018 Update   17
Section Two
     On Fire Risk Days: Leaving Early

     Check the Fire Danger Rating (FDR) for your location every day. When
     the FDR reaches your trigger point, you need to activate your plan.

     Follow the advice on when to go for each FDR              Getting ready to go
     and start preparing to leave based on the steps
     in your plan.                                             › S
                                                                  tay updated on fire information so you
                                                                 will know if a fire has started near you.
      epending on the conditions, you will need to
     D
     move quickly and efficiently if a fire starts near you.   › M
                                                                  ove livestock to a safe area and put your
     Make sure you include the ‘Getting ready to go’             pets in a safe place ready for loading in the car.
     steps in your plan. Make a point of practicing            › P
                                                                  ack personal items such as a change of
     them so you know how long each step will take.              clothing for each person and toys for children
     Doing all of these things could take hours.                 and pets and put them in the car.
                                                               › If your car is behind an electric garage door,
                                                                  take it out of the garage and position it in the
        DON’T WAIT AND SEE                                        driveway facing out or on the side of the road.

        You should never wait and see what                     › R
                                                                  emove any materials that could burn easily
        happens during a bush fire. Leaving                      from around your house, on decks, verandahs
        late means you will be on the road when                  and pergola areas. This includes mats,
        conditions are at their most dangerous                   outdoor furniture and wood piles.
        or you may not be able to get out at all.
        The longer you wait to leave, the greater
        the risk to your life.

18   Fire Ready Kit
Moving your pets
                                                    In the event of a fire, emergency accommodation
                                                    at animal shelters and boarding facilities may not
                                                    be available. Pets that are normally well behaved

                                                                                                                 2
                                                    may also become fearful and nervous during
                                                    an emergency. Part of your plan should involve

                                                                                                                     On Fire Risk Days: Leaving Early
                                                    prearranging with friends, relatives or others in a low
                                                    fire danger area to care for your pets on fire risk days.

                                                    If you have to go to work on days of fire danger,
                                                    consider taking your animals to a safer place
                                                    before leaving home. Keep in mind that in the
                                                    event of an emergency you may not be allowed
                                                    home for some time.

Before you leave
                                                      HORSES
 1 Add final items to your Emergency Kit such
	
                                                      If you do not have a suitable paddock or clear
   as medications, prescriptions, mobile phone
                                                      area in which to put your horses, consider
   chargers, pet food and water for everyone.
                                                      taking them to the local showgrounds, sale
                                                      yards, racetrack or pony club.
 2 Pack the car, remembering your most
	
   important items such as wallet, cards, keys,       If leaving horses on your property, do not
   banking, medical and insurance documents           lock your horses in a stable or small area, or
   (these should be easily accessible on              let them out onto the road. Instead, put your
   a USB stick or in an expanding file).              horses or livestock in a large, well-grazed
                                                      paddock, or series of smaller paddocks with
 3   Turn off the gas supply.                         the internal gates left open. Remove rugs,
                                                      halters and fly veils.
4 Block the downpipes and partially fill
	
  the gutters with water, if time permits.

 5 Make sure everyone is wearing protective
	                                                     People die during fires trying to save their
   clothing – long pants, long-sleeved shirts          animals. Decide in advance what you’ll do
   and sturdy shoes such as leather boots.             with your pets and livestock. Animals should
   Clothes should be loose fitting and made            never be left unattended in vehicles.
   from natural fibres like pure wool, heavy
   cotton drill or denim. Do not wear synthetics.

 6   Tell people you are leaving.

 7 Close all doors and windows and lock doors.
	

 8   Leave the front or access gate open.

                                                                                                2021 Update     19
Notes:

20   Fire Ready Kit
Section Three
During a Fire:
                 3
If You Cannot Leave

                  2018 Update   21
Section Three
     During a Fire: If You Cannot Leave
     As part of your plan, you need to decide what you will do if there is a fire in
     your area and you cannot leave. Remember that bushfires and grassfires
     can travel extremely fast and strike without warning. Many people have been
     caught out thinking they had more time to act before the bushfire impacted.

     A bushfire can be a terrifying situation. Strong       The main cause of death in bushfires is radiant
     gusty winds and intense heat will make you tired       heat, so it is important to take shelter as the
     quickly. Thick, heavy smoke will sting your eyes.      temperature associated with the fire rises.
     It will be difficult to see and breathe. The roaring
     sound of the wind and the fire approaching will
     make it hard to hear. Embers will rain down causing
     spot fires all around you. Power and water may be         DO NOT shelter in a dam, swimming pool,
     cut off. You may be isolated. It will be dark, noisy      or a water tank except as an absolute
     and extremely physically and mentally exhausting.         last resort. Dams, swimming pools and
                                                               water tanks leave your face, head and lungs
     Understanding what to expect and planning                 exposed to radiant heat and smoke.
     for what you will do can help you to cope.
                                                               If sheltering within a house or a building,
                                                               DO NOT get caught in an area with only
                                                               one way out – for instance, a bathroom
                                                               or a toilet. Rooms with only one exit can
                                                               make escape impossible if that exit is
                                                               blocked by flames and heat.

22   Fire Ready Kit
Know your shelter options

The options below do not guarantee your safety but may offer
enough protection from radiant heat to ensure your survival.

  WHAT IS A WELL-PREPARED HOME?                            The Well-Prepared Property

  Even if you plan to leave early, you can
  reduce the impact of bushfire on your                                         Mature trees can help
                                                                                shield against radiant heat
                                                                                and embers. They must
                                                                                be strategically located

  home by preparing your property.
                                                                                and well managed.

  Read the Preparing Your Property section
                                                                                                                                             Keep grass cut to          Keep woodpiles
                                                                                                                                             less than 10cm.            away from house.

  of this booklet for more information

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              3
                                                                                                                                                                                                Store flammable
                                                                                                                                           Remove flammable items                               liquids away from
                                                                                                                                           from decks and verandahs,                            house.
                                                                                                                                           such as boxes, furniture
                                                                                                                                           and doormats.                                                                           Get rid of dry

  about preparing your home before
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   grass, leaves,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   twigs and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   loose bark.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  During a Fire: If You Cannot Leave
  the fire season.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Prune lower branches of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              shrubs to separate from
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              surface fuels underneath.

                                                                                                              Keep gutters clear
                                                       Use pebbles or rocks                                   of leaf litter.
                                                       in your garden                                                                                                                                               Prune shrubs well
                                                       (not flammable mulch).                                                                                                                                       away from tree
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    branches.

                                                                                                                                                                       Cut back overhanging
                                                                                                                                                                       branches – no branches
                                                                                                                                                                       in 10m space.
                                                                                                                                   Do not have large
                                                                                                                                   shrubs next to or
                                                                                                                                   under windows.

                                                      40      Fire Ready Kit                                                                                                                                                                              2013 Update   41

A well-prepared home –                                              Last resort – when no other
the preferred option if you                                         preferred options are available
cannot leave                                                        › A
                                                                       Neighbourhood Safer Place –
› A
   well-prepared home (yours or a neighbour)                         Place of Last Resort
  that you can actively defend                                      › A stationary car in a cleared area
› A private bunker (that meets current regulations)                 › A ploughed paddock or reserve
› A designated community shelter or fire refuge.                    › A
                                                                       body of water (such as a beach,
                                                                      swimming pool, dam or river).
                                                                    Neighbourhood Safer Places do not offer any
                                                                    food, drink, supplies or facilities and are not
                                                                    relief centres. Many are simply open reserves
                                                                    or sports fields. To find out if there is one in
                                                                    your town, visit saferplaces.cfa.vic.gov.au

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2021 Update              23
Understand radiant heat

     Radiant heat is the intense heat that radiates from a bushfire.
     It is like the heat you feel from a campfire, but can be up to
     50,000 times stronger. In the right conditions, radiant heat
     can ignite exposed surfaces and crack or break windows.

     Radiant heat is the biggest killer in a fire.         If you are caught outside in a fire,
     The human body cannot absorb large amounts            seek to protect yourself by:
     of radiant heat without its cooling system failing,
     leading to heat exhaustion and heart failure.         › covering up exposed skin.
                                                           › b
                                                              eing as far away as you can –
     Radiant heat can be blocked by a solid
                                                             by doubling your distance from the fire
     object or barrier such as a concrete wall
                                                             you reduce the radiant heat load by four.
     or building. This heat travels in straight lines,
     radiating out from a bushfire ahead of the            › getting behind a solid object or barrier.
     flames and will bounce off solid objects,
                                                           › s taying away from windows as radiant
     although it will travel through glass.
                                                              heat can pass through glass.
                                                           The only sure way to survive a bushfire
                                                           and avoid radiant heat is to leave early
                                                           and be away from the threat.

24   Fire Ready Kit
A

                                                           B

                                                           C

Cover up
Covering all exposed skin with clothing can
offer some protection from radiant heat.                   D

Have a set of clothing ready for each member
of the family:

  Your kit
  A   	A wide-brimmed hat to protect your head.
  B   	Eye protection such as smoke goggles
        to shield your eyes.
  C   	A ‘P2’ type mask or cotton scarf/

                                                                  3
        handkerchief for face protection and to

                                                                      During a Fire: If You Cannot Leave
        filter smoke.
  D   	A long-sleeved, collared shirt and
         long pants made from cotton or
         some other natural fibre.
  E   	Tough leather garden gloves –
        not rubber or synthetic.                       E

  F   	Sturdy boots and wool or
        cotton socks.

Put these on as soon as you are
aware of a fire.

Wearing a t-shirt, shorts and thongs
will expose you to dangerous radiant
heat in a fire.

                                                           F

                                                   2021 Update   25
Sheltering from fire

     If you are caught in a building                       If you are caught in a car
     If sheltering in a building during a bushfire, make   Take the following actions if you encounter
     sure you have more than one point of exit in every    smoke or flames and are not able to turn
     room used as a shelter. Most bathrooms are            around and drive to safety.
     unsuitable to shelter in. They typically have only
     one door which can make escape impossible if          1) P
                                                               osition the car to minimise exposure
     that exit is blocked by flames and heat. Any place       to radiant heat:
     of shelter within a house or building should have     › P
                                                              ark away from dense bush –
     two points of exit.                                     try to find a clearing.
     Most bathrooms also have frosted windows              › If possible, park behind a barrier
     that do not let you see outside – during a               such as a wall or rocky outcrop.
     bushfire it is critical to look outside and know
     what is happening.                                    › T
                                                              he car should ideally face towards
                                                             the oncoming fire front.
     If your house catches fire while you are inside,
                                                           › P
                                                              ark off the roadway and turn hazard
     you will need to respond quickly:
                                                             lights on. Car crashes are common
     › Close the door to the room that is on fire.           in bushfires due to poor visibility.

     › M
        ove to the other end of the house,
       closing all the doors behind you.                   2) To increase your chances of survival:

     › D
        o not get trapped in a room without               › S
                                                              tay in the car and tightly close windows
       an alternative exit.                                  and doors.
     › M
        ove outside to burnt ground as                    › C
                                                              over up with woollen blankets and get down
       soon as you can.                                      below window level – you need to protect yourself
                                                             from radiant heat which will pass through glass.
     › W
        herever possible, try to put a solid object
       between you and the radiant heat from the fire.     › Drink water to prevent dehydration.
     › Drink water to prevent dehydration.
                                                           3) A
                                                               s soon as you become aware that
                                                              the fire front is close by:
       EXPECT DISRUPTIONS TO SERVICES
                                                           › S
                                                              hut all vents and turn the air conditioning
       Disruptions to telephone service, internet            off to limit the circulation of toxic fumes
       and mains power and water are common                  caused by burning plastic.
       during a fire or on a fire risk day. Be prepared:
                                                           › Turn off the engine.
       › Don’t rely on mains power and water.
        – 	Power failure will impact you and
            your use of:
       		› cordless phones.
       		› remote control garage doors,
              electric gates or similar devices.
       		› computer and the internet.
       		› air conditioners and coolers.
       		› electric pumps.

       › D
          on’t rely on one source of information
         for warnings. Use multiple sources.

26   Fire Ready Kit
Bushfire survival options

                                                           Leave Early

                                                           › W
                                                              hen the Fire Danger Rating
                                                             is Code Red, leaving early is
                                                             always the safest option.
                                                           › L
                                                              eave early destinations could
                                                             include homes of family and
                                                             friends who live outside the risk
                                                             area, a nearby town or other
                                                             built-up area.
                                                           Always the safest option

                                                                                                                 3   During a Fire: If You Cannot Leave
      Community                                            Well Prepared
      fire refuge

                                                           If leaving the high-risk area is no longer an
                                                           option, there may be options close to where
                                                           you are that could protect you. These include:
            Well-prepared
          neighbour’s home
                                                           › a
                                                              well-prepared home (yours or your
                                                             neighbour's) that you can actively defend
                                                             on Severe and Extreme Fire Danger
                                                             Rating days only
                                     Well-prepared
                     Private             home
                     bunker                                › p
                                                              rivate bushfire shelter (bunker)
                                                             that meets current regulations
                                                           › designated community fire refuge.
                                                           Your safety is not guaranteed

                                                           Last Resort
   Neighbourhood
     Safer Place
                                    River
                                                           In situations where no other options are
 (Place of last resort)                                    available, taking shelter in one of the below
                                                           may protect you from radiant heat:
                                                           › N eighbourhood Safer Place
             Ploughed paddock                                 (Place of Last Resort)
                and reserve
                                                           › stationary car in a clear area
                                                     Dam
                                                           › ploughed paddock or reserve
                                Stationary
                                   cars
                                                           › body of water (i.e. beach,
                                                              swimming pool, dam, river etc).
                 Swimming
                   pool
                                                           High risk of trauma, injury or death.

                                                                                                  2021 Update   27
Notes:

28   Fire Ready Kit
Section Four
Staying Informed
                   4

                   2018 Update   29
Section Four
     Staying Informed
     During the fire season, it’s up to you to stay informed.

     Make it your habit to:
     › check your district’s Fire Danger Rating (FDR) every day during the fire season
     › know if it is a Total Fire Ban day
     › check for warnings, especially on hot, dry windy days.

     For updates on FDRs, restrictions and warnings,
     visit CFA’s website or Twitter account, or call the           WHERE ARE YOU TODAY IN VICTORIA?
     VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
                                                                   Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans are
     The meaning of and difference between Fire                    declared by district. There are nine districts in
     Weather Districts, Fire Danger Ratings and                    Victoria and you need to know which district
     Total Fire Bans is explained in the illustration              you are in or travelling to. Check the fire
     at the start of this Kit.                                     weather district whenever you are travelling
                                                                   away from home.

           KNOW YOUR FIRE WEATHER DISTRICT

              Mallee

                                           Northern
           Wimmera                         Country               North East

                                                    North
                                                     Central
                                                                                      East
                                                                                   Gippsland
                                            Central
               South West

                                                               West & South
                                                                Gippsland

30   Fire Ready Kit
Fire Danger Ratings                               Total Fire Bans

Fire Danger Ratings tell you how                  Certain activities are banned on
dangerous a fire would be if one                  Total Fire Ban days. If you break
started – the higher the rating, the              these restrictions you can face
more dangerous the conditions.                    large fines and imprisonment.

Fire Danger Ratings are not a weather forecast.   Total Fire Bans are declared by CFA on days
Ratings are issued using Bureau of Meteorology    when fires are likely to spread rapidly and be
data for up to four days in advance, based on     difficult to control.
weather and other environmental conditions
such as fuel load.                                As Total Fire Bans provide a set of legal restrictions
                                                  on what activities can or cannot occur in a particular
The rating should be your trigger to act.         district for that day, they are usually not declared
For more information about what each rating       until the afternoon before to ensure they are
means and what you should do, see the             based on the most accurate weather forecast.
Fire Danger Ratings table earlier in this Kit.

  WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?                          Check the VicEmergency App for up-to-
                                                  date Fire Danger Rating and Total Fire Ban
  Fire Danger Ratings tell you how                information, as well as information,
  dangerous a fire would be if one started.       warnings and locations about current fires.

                                                                                                            4
                                                  Download the App

                                                                                                                Staying Informed
                                                  free for Apple and
  Total Fire Bans tell you what you can           Android devices.
  or can’t do on days where fire will spread
  rapidly and be out of control.

  Warnings tell you that a fire
  has already started.

                                                                                             2021 Update   31
Warnings and updates

     Warnings are issued when a fire has started and you need to take action.

     It’s your responsibility to understand the different types of warnings and how
     to access them. You should never wait to receive an official warning before
     you leave. Bushfires can start, spread and become uncontrollable quickly.

     How are warnings different
                                                          ADVICE
     from Fire Danger Ratings?
                                                          An incident is occurring or has occurred in
     Fire Danger Ratings indicate how dangerous           the area. Access information and monitor
     a fire would be if one started. Warnings are         conditions.
     information about fires that have already started.

                                                          WARNING (WATCH AND ACT)
     Levels of warnings
                                                          An emergency is developing nearby.
     There are three different levels of warnings –       You need to take action now to protect
     Advice, Watch and Act and Emergency Warning.         yourself and others.
     Don’t expect warnings to be issued in any
     particular order. The first warning issued
     could even be an Emergency Warning.                  EMERGENCY WARNING
                                                          You are in imminent danger and need
                                                          to take action now. You will be impacted.

32   Fire Ready Kit
Where to find warnings and information
Do not rely on one source of information for fire information.

                      Listen to ABC Local Radio,                         1800 226 226
                      commercial and designated
                                                        			The VicEmergency Hotline is a
                      community radio stations and
                                                            freecall.
                      watch Sky News TV.

                       ocial Media outlets:
                      S
                                                                         1800 555 677
                      Twitter @CFA_Updates and          			Callers who are deaf, hard of
                      facebook.com/cfavic                   hearing, or have a speech/
                                                            communication impairment can
                                                            contact VicEmergency Hotline via
                                                            the National Relay Service on this
                                                            number.

                       FA website: cfa.vic.gov.au
                      C                                                  131 450
                      emergency.vic.gov.au              			If you do not speak English, call
                      MFB website: mfb.vic.gov.au           the Translating and Interpreting
                                                            Service for translated information
                                                            from VBIL. If you know someone
                                                            who cannot speak English,
                                                            provide them with this number.

   IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES

                      You may receive an                                 You may receive a call
                      SMS to your mobile.                                to your landline phone.

                                                                                                                    4   Staying Informed
  Emergency Alert is a system used by                       CAUTION
  emergency services to send voice messages
                                                            Do not rely on an official warning to leave.
  to landlines and text messages to mobile
                                                            Bushfires can start quickly and threaten
  phones about emergencies. For more
                                                            homes and lives within minutes.
  information, go to emergencyalert.gov.au
                                                            If you receive a warning, you must take it
                                                            seriously. Failure to take action may result in
Keep a map of your local area in an easy-to-find            death or injury to you or your family members.
place. Use the map to locate where fires may be             Look and listen for information for surrounding
in your surrounding area.                                   towns as your suburb or town may not be
                                                            mentioned.
If you are travelling through Victoria, you need
to monitor conditions. Reconsider visiting
high-risk bushfire areas on fire risk days.

                                                                                                     2021 Update   33
Other information
     you might receive

         RECOMMENDATION TO EVACUATE
         A recommendation to Evacuate is issued in some situations.
         You should not rely on receiving one.
         Evacuation is not a substitute for planning ahead or choosing to leave a high-risk
         bushfire area early before fire threatens.
         In high-risk bushfire areas on Code Red days, it is always safer to leave the night
         before or early in the morning.

     Recommendation to Evacuate
                                                                   Sometimes it is not possible for the emergency
     Evacuation is the planned relocation of people                services to issue a Recommendation to
     from a dangerous area to a safer place.                       Evacuate. You should not rely on receiving one.

     In some fires the emergency services may decide               While CFA will do its best to provide official
     to issue a Recommendation to Evacuate for:                    warnings, fires can threaten lives and homes
                                                                   in minutes.
     ›   individuals
                                                                   The safest option is to leave early.
     ›   a house
     ›   a street
     ›   a large institution (such as a school or hospital)
     ›   a suburb
                                                                Standard Emergency Warning
     ›   a town                                                 Signal (SEWS)
     ›   a large area of the state.                             This is a distinctive siren sound that is transmitted
                                                                over the radio, TV or phone prior to the alert
     A Recommendation to Evacuate depends                       message being broadcast. Designed to attract
     on a number of factors, such as:                           your attention, the sound tells you that important
                                                                emergency information will follow.
     › safety considerations
     › the location and type of fire                            All Clear
     › access routes and the local environment.
                                                                Emergency activity in the area has subsided
                                                                and is no longer a danger to you.
     A Recommendation to Evacuate may identify:

     › the location you need to travel to
     › travel information
     › the length of time during which it is safe to travel.

     For further information, go to police.vic.gov.au

34   Fire Ready Kit
Community alert sirens                                    Know your local
A number of towns across Victoria are trialling           emergency broadcaster
the use of sirens to alert communities that there         These include:
is an emergency in the area. For more information
about this policy and the location of sirens, go to       › ABC local radio
emv.vic.gov.au/responsibilities/community-alert-
                                                          › SKY NEWS TV
sirens
                                                          › UGFM – Radio Murrindindi
How and why will a siren sound?                           › Stereo 974
Short (up to 90 seconds) – indicates a CFA brigade        › Plenty Valley FM
has responded to an emergency incident nearby.
                                                          › Various commercial stations across Victoria
Extended (up to 5 minutes) – indicates that a             You can find a complete list at
current emergency has been identified nearby              emv.vic.gov.au
and you must seek further information immediately
from CFA’s website, VicEmergency Hotline 1800
226 226, or local emergency broadcasters.

When to look for warnings
                                                            If you see flames or a column of smoke,
There are different situations when you might need          always call Triple Zero 000 immediately.
to monitor and check for fire warnings and updates.

                                                                                                                    4   Staying Informed
  WHEN                                  WHY

  It’s a hot, dry, windy day            Fires can start suddenly at any time. During summer,
                                        check regularly for updates.

  It’s a fire risk day. You have left   Ensure the route you have planned is safe. Stay up to date
  early, or are preparing to do so.     about fires in your area. Know when it is safe to return.

  I can see or smell smoke in           Check to see if there are signs of a fire in your area.
  the air and I want to check
  what is going on.

  I’m staying to defend                 It is critical that you know at the earliest possible stage
  on a fire risk day.                   if a fire is in your area so that you can implement your plan.
                                        Once you are aware of a fire, continue to monitor updates.

                                                                                                     2021 Update   35
Notes:

36   Fire Ready Kit
Section Five
Preparing
                5
Your Property

                2018 Update   37
Section Five
     Preparing Your Property

     This section outlines what you must do as a minimum
     to reduce the effects of bushfire on your property.

     This involves:
     › Understanding how fire behaves in your environment
     › K
        nowing the steps to take to prepare your
       home and property before the fire season
     › P
        reparing your property for the best chance
       of survival during a bushfire.

38   Fire Ready Kit
Fire behaviour

Victoria has a great diversity of vegetation,
topography and weather.

Environments that are high risk for fire are:             Knowing how a fire behaves in your environment
                                                          will help you to better prepare your property.
› where suburbs meet the bush
                                                          Bushfires are influenced by:
› close to forest and woodlands
› close to grass or paddocks                              › vegetation (fuel)

› near coastal scrub.                                     › topography
                                                          › weather conditions.

Vegetation (fuel)

There are two fuel types – fine and heavy. By removing fine fuels from
your property you can reduce the amount of heavy fuels that burn.

A. Fine fuels
                                                             VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
PT
  hese are fuels that are the thickness
 of a pencil or less.                                        Vegetation includes all the plants, foliage
                                                             and mulch around your home. By managing
PT
  hey ignite quickly and burn easily. This means            the vegetation around your property you can
 they can be carried by the wind as embers long              create space around your home. This will
 distances ahead of the main fire.                           reduce bushfire intensity.
PB
  ranches, twigs and leaves and other fine fuels            This helps protect your house from direct
 found on the ground can burn easily.
                                                                                                                   5
                                                             flame contact and reduces the radiant heat
                                                                                                                       Preparing Your Property

PS
  ome types of scrub and trees drop leaves and              to which your house will be exposed.
 twigs on the ground around them. These give                 While ember attack will still occur, vegetation
 off far more heat when they burn.                           management around your house is important.
PF
  ibrous and dry tree bark can act like a ladder,           You can reduce the likelihood of embers
 spreading fire to treetops.                                 starting new fires near your house.

B. Heavy fuels

P These are greater than the width of a pencil.
P They take longer to ignite but will burn for longer.
PB
  ranches, trees and logs are examples
 of heavy fuels.
P They create an extremely hot fire.

                                                                                                    2021 Update   39
Topography                                                Weather conditions
                                                               Bushfires can vary greatly according to
     Fires burning uphill
                                                               weather conditions. They often start on
     A fire will burn faster uphill. This is because           hot, dry and windy days.
     the flames can reach more unburnt fuel in
     front of the fire.                                        Temperature

     Radiant heat pre-heats the fuel in front of the           A string of hot days will dry out vegetation,
     fire, making the fuel even more flammable.                making it easier to burn. This can be made
                                                               even worse by underlying dry conditions.
     As a general rule, for every 10˚ slope, the               The drier the vegetation the easier it will burn.
     fire will double its speed as it travels uphill.          A fire spreads as a result of wind, burning
     For example, if a fire is travelling at five kilometres   embers, radiant heat and direct flame contact.
     an hour along flat ground and it hits a 10˚ slope
     it will double in speed to 10 kilometres an hour
     up that hill.

     By increasing in speed the fire also increases in
     intensity, flames becoming even larger and hotter.

     Fires burning downhill

     As fires travel downhill they tend to move
     more slowly as the flames and radiant heat
     reach less fuel.

40   Fire Ready Kit
Wind                                               Wind change

Wind has a significant influence on the:           A change in wind direction is one of the
                                                   most dangerous influences on fire behaviour.
P speed at which a fire spreads                    Many people who die in bushfires get caught
Pd
  irection in which a fire travels and            during or after the wind change.
 the size of the fire front
                                                   In Victoria, hot, dry winds typically come from
P intensity of a fire, by providing more oxygen   the north and north-west and are often followed
                                                   by a south-west wind change. In this situation
P l ikelihood of spotting. Burning pieces of
                                                   the side of the fire can quickly become a much
  leaves, twigs and bark (embers) are carried
                                                   larger fire front.
  ahead of the fire by winds, causing new fires
  to ignite. These are known as spot fires.        A change in wind direction can change
                                                   the size of the fire front. This makes wind
                                                   a very dangerous ingredient in a bushfire.

        Point of origin                                    Point of origin          New fire front

                                                                                        C

                           A
                                                                             B                                  5   Preparing Your Property

                                           Front

A   Fire being blown by a northerly wind           B   South-westerly wind change

                                                   C   The eastern flank becomes
                                                       a much larger fire front

                                                                                                 2021 Update   41
What is an ember attack?

     Ember attack:

            mbers are burning twigs, leaves
           E                                             Ember attack is the most common way
           and pieces of debris.                          houses catch fire during bushfires.
            mber attack occurs when twigs
           E                                             Ember attack can happen before,
           and leaves are carried by the wind             during and after the bushfire.
           and land on or around a building.
            mbers can land on top of debris
           E
           in your gutters and set fire to your house.

42   Fire Ready Kit
What is radiant heat?

Radiant heat:
                                                                                          5   Preparing Your Property

    adiant heat is the heat that
   R                                     A solid object, such as a brick wall,
   you feel from a fire.                  and suitable clothing can offer some
                                          protection from radiant heat. But they
    adiant heat is the biggest killer
   R
                                          may not save your life.
   of people and animals in a fire.
    he best protection from radiant
   T
   heat is distance.

                                                                           2021 Update   43
Can your property really
     withstand a bushfire?

     Everyone in Victoria who lives near dense or open bush, grassland or
     the coast needs to prepare their property for bushfire. Even if your plan
     is to leave early on fire-risk days, you need to prepare your property.

     A well-prepared house where the vegetation
     is well managed has a greater chance of not        ven with enough managed
                                                       E
     catching alight in a bushfire. Regardless of      vegetation, the safest option is
     property preparation, most homes will not be      to leave high-risk bushfire areas
     able to withstand fires in Code Red conditions.   early on Severe, Extreme and
                                                       Code Red days.
     You need to consider the materials from which
     your house is made and its design. By making
     modifications you can improve the likelihood
     that your house will survive bushfire.

     Information on construction and renovation
     can be found in A Guide to Retrofit Your Home
     for Better Protection from a Bushfire. This
     publication is available at cfa.vic.gov.au

44   Fire Ready Kit
Preparing
your property

You can reduce the impact of bushfire
on your home by preparing your property.

These preparations must begin well before
the bushfire season.                                    FIRE TRUCK ACCESS

You should prepare your property even if your           You should never rely on a fire truck coming
plan is to leave early on days of fire risk.            to protect your property.

This will reduce the impact of bushfire on your home.   However, if a fire truck does reach your
                                                        property, you will need to ensure that:
You will have to consider:
                                                        › gates are wide enough for entry and exit
 A 	how you will manage vegetation.
                                                        › there are no overhanging branches or
B 	whether your home is constructed or modified           objects that would prevent access
    to withstand a bushfire. Note: most houses are      › a
                                                           ll water sources are clearly marked
    not designed to withstand Code Red conditions.        and easy to find

C 	whether it is possible to improve the               › y our tank fittings are compatible with CFA
    safety of your house with modifications                fire trucks. The Defending Your Property
    and maintenance.                                       Section of this Kit provides a comprehensive
                                                           list of CFA-compatible tank fittings.
The illustration shows an example of a
well-prepared property with managed vegetation.

                                                                                                                  5   Preparing Your Property

                                                                                                   2021 Update   45
The Well-Prepared Property

                          Mature trees can help
                          shield against radiant heat
                          and embers. They must
                          be strategically located
                          and well managed.

                                                                                       Keep grass cut to
                                                                                       less than 10cm.

                                                                                     Remove flammable items
                                                                                     from decks and verandahs,
                                                                                     such as boxes, furniture
                                                                                     and doormats.

                                                        Keep gutters clear
 Use pebbles or rocks                                   of leaf litter.
 in your garden
 (not flammable mulch).

                                                                             Do not have large
                                                                             shrubs next to or
                                                                             under windows.

46      Fire Ready Kit
Keep woodpiles
 away from house.

                           Store flammable
                           liquids away from
                           house.

                                                              Get rid of dry
                                                              grass, leaves,
                                                              twigs and
                                                              loose bark.

                                                         Prune lower branches of
                                                         shrubs to separate from
                                                         surface fuels underneath.

                                               Prune shrubs well
                                               away from tree
                                               branches.

Cut back overhanging
branches – no branches
within 10m of buildings.

                                                                                     2021 Update   47
A     Managing vegetation

     Managing the vegetation on your property will reduce a bushfire’s
     intensity. By having managed vegetation, you will reduce the
     amount of direct flame contact and radiant heat on your house.

     As a general rule you may need to undertake        Managing the vegetation around your home
     more vegetation management if there is dense       has four main purposes:
     bush all around you.
                                                        1.	To give your house the best possible chance
     For example:                                           of surviving the passage of the fire front.

     › K
        eep grass short – no more than                 2.	To reduce the chance of direct flame contact
       10 centimetres high                                  and radiant heat igniting your home.
     › Make space between plants and trees             3.	To help you protect your home from
     › K
        eep fallen leaves no more than                     ember attack.
       two centimetres deep.
                                                        4.	To provide some level of shelter as a last
     Keep in mind that mature trees can sometimes           resort if you and your family get caught.
     help shield against radiant heat and embers and
     can play a useful role in the protection of your   Whatever the type of vegetation that surrounds
     home against bushfires.                            your home, you need to consider how it will burn
                                                        during a bushfire. In general:

                                                        › h
                                                           omes located in a dense forest are more
                                                          likely to experience high-intensity fires
                                                        › h
                                                           omes located in more open country
                                                          may experience lower intensity, but fast
                                                          moving, grassfires.
                                                        If you live in a rural environment, also consider
                                                        other property assets such as sheds or fences
                                                        that you want to protect.

48   Fire Ready Kit
Use the layout of your property                     Trees and bushfire

Fire always follows a path where fuel is located.   A fire will only burn trees where there is sufficient
It does not spread easily over low-fuel areas.      surface and elevated fuel to carry the fire into the
                                                    tree canopy.
Manage vegetation around your home and
on your property and use the following to help      The fire front is often carried by undergrowth,
reduce fire intensity:                              such as shrubs and tall grasses, but loose, flaky
                                                    or ribbon bark can contribute to ember attack.
› driveways
› pools                                            What is growing under your trees? Consider
                                                    how easily fire might be able to spread from
› tennis courts
                                                    the ground into the tree tops.
› cultivated soil or gravelled areas
                                                    Fine fuels that are continuous from ground to
› mown lawns
                                                    treetop (known as ladder fuels) can assist the
› grazed paddocks                                  spread of fire from the ground up into the treetops.
› dams and natural water features.
                                                    You can reduce fuel ladders by:

                                                    P removing lower branches of trees
                                                    Pp
                                                      runing shrubs so that their tops are well
                                                     away from the lower branches of trees
                                                    Pp
                                                      runing the lower branches of shrubs to separate
                                                                                                                5
                                                     the foliage from the surface fuels underneath
                                                                                                                    Preparing Your Property

                                                    P r educing accumulated debris such as loose
                                                       flaky bark, dead twigs, leaves or needles from
                                                       within the branches of plants.

                                                                                                 2021 Update   49
Remove weeds

     › W
        eeds are commonly found in residential
       bushland areas and contribute significantly
       to bushfire risk.
     › G
        ive priority to removing and controlling
       them. This will help reduce potential fire
       fuel on your property.
     › Y
        our council can help you identify weeds
       in your local area and provide ideas on
       how to remove them.

     Lawns and grass                                       Mulching
     › G
        rass needs to be kept less than 10 centimetres    Mulch, such as wood chips or pea straw, is a
       high. Higher than that and fire can use the grass   fine fuel and can ignite during ember attack. It is
       as a ladder to other vegetation.                    extremely dangerous if used within a 10-metre
     › Y
        ou do not need to cut green lawns any             radius of your home especially under windows.
       shorter than five centimetres otherwise
                                                           Instead:
       you risk causing the grass to dry out.
     › L
        awns between 5-10 centimetres shade               › U
                                                              se non-flammable mulch alternatives,
       the root zone and retain moisture.                    such as pebbles, sand or rocks.
                                                           › U
                                                              se weed matting cut to fit around plants and
                                                             secured with rocks, pebbles or soil. It can be
                                                             used to help retain soil moisture in garden beds.
                                                           › If you must use flammable (plant-based) mulch,
                                                              apply it immediately after the fire season.
                                                              This will allow it to break down over winter.
                                                              Decomposed mulch still provides good
                                                              moisture retention during summer. It is less
                                                              likely to ignite than more recently laid mulch.
                                                           › If plant-based mulch is still dry at the beginning
                                                              of the fire season, keep it wetted down or cover
                                                              it with soil or sand during the fire season.

50   Fire Ready Kit
Burning off and fire restrictions                     The 10/30 and fence line rules

Burning off dried fine fuels and cutting back         Under the 10/30 and fence line rules. if your home
vegetation is one way to prepare your property.       or boundary fence was constructed before 10
                                                      September 2009, no planning permit is required
If you are planning to burn off on your property,     to reduce fuel, including native vegetation, around
you must do this well before the fire restrictions    your home and boundary fences.
come into force.
                                                      The 10/30 rule and fence line rule planning
For more information visit cfa.vic.gov.au             exemptions allow landowners and residents in
or your local council.                                designated bushfire prone areas the right to:

Plant selection                                       Pc
                                                        lear any vegetation within 10 metres of a
                                                       building used for accommodation
When planning your garden and property,
                                                      Pc
                                                        lear any vegetation, except trees (i.e. ground
consider the types of plants you use.
                                                       fuel), within 30 metres of a building used for
No plant is completely fire-resistant as given         accommodation
the right conditions all plants will burn. However,   Pc
                                                        lear any vegetation for a combined maximum
some are more flammable than others.                   width of four metres either side of boundary
To help you select plants that are suitable            fences. Where land has already been cleared 4
for your local environment:                            metres or more along one side of the fence, then
                                                       up to 1 metre can be cleared along the other side
› check with your local council                       of the fence.
                                                                                                               5

› c
   onsult CFA’s Landscaping for Bushfire             You need to have prior written permission from the
                                                                                                                   Preparing Your Property

  publication at cfa.vic.gov.au                       landowner for clearance on their side of the fence.

                                                      The 10/50 rule

                                                      For land subject to a Bushfire Management Overlay,
                                                      the 30-metre provisions are extended to 50 metres.
                                                      Clearance over and above these two planning
                                                      exemptions requires a planning permit.

                                                        For more information about the 10/30, fence line
                                                        and 10/50 rules, please visit planning.vic.gov.au

                                                                                                2021 Update   51
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