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AM I AT RISK
Close to Grass or Paddocks
Grass fires can be extremely dangerous – people can die in grass fires.
What can you Expect?
Dry and brown grass that easily catches fire.
Grass more than 10cm tall will have a higher flame height and intensity.
Faster burning than through forests as grass is a finer fuel.
Large amounts of radiant heat.
Fires that can start early in the day
Faster moving fires that travel up to 25 km per hour.
In open grassland speed increases up to 60 km per hour.
What to do
Prepare your property for fire before summer starts.
Don’t get caught out in the open during a grassfire.
It can get very hot and radiant heat can kill.
If you’re caught in a car, don’t get out and run.Stay informed on hot, dry, windy days by monitoring conditions outside
Close to Dense or Open Bush
Risk is most extreme if you live surrounded by or near forest that is difficult to see through. However, all forest or woodland presents a bushfire risk.
What can you expect?
Very hot fire and many embers.
Embers such as twigs, bark and debris arriving from far away.
Dangerous levels of radiant heat and fire intensity.
Trees falling in high winds.
Embers landing for a long time after the fire has passed.
Fine fuels (the thickness of a pencil or less) that burn very quickly.
Heavy fuels that will burn very hot for long periods of time.
A reduction in visibility due to very thick smoke.
What to do
You need to prepare your property for fire before summer starts.
Decide when you will leave and where you will go on hot, dry, windy days when the risk of a fire starting is increased.
Talk to your family and friends about when you will leave and where you will go.
Stay informed on hot, dry, windy days by monitoring conditions outside and tuning into a local emergency broadcaster, checking emergency.vic.gov.au regularly and by downloading the VicEmergency app.
Leaving early is the safest option to protect yourself and your family and
prepare your home
Near Coastal Scrub
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. Often a fire will be burning between you and the beach.
What can you expect?
Very hot and fast-moving fires.
Gusty ocean winds causing fire to behave erratically.
A lot of embers.
Fire reaching houses quickly.
Busy, congested coastal roads.
What to do
You need to prepare your property for fire before summer starts.
Decide when you will leave and where you will go on hot, dry, windy days when the risk of a fire starting is increased.
Stay informed on hot, dry, windy days by monitoring conditions outside and tuning into a local emergency broadcaster, checking emergency.vic.gov.au regularly and by downloading the VicEmergency app.
Leaving early is the safest option to protect yourself and your family.
Cities and Towns meet the Bush
You do not have to live in the country to be at risk of bushfire.
Suburban homes can burn down in bushfire, too.
What can you expect?
Scrub, forest and grass catching fire.
A fire in a park or reserve quickly spreading to timber fences and gardens.
Fire spreading from house to house once houses start to burn.
A high risk of ember attack if the house is near dense bushland environments.
Embers falling close to or on your house starting a new fire.
Strong winds that bring embers from far away.
What to do
You need to prepare your property for fire before summer starts.
Decide when you will leave and where you will go on hot, dry, windy days when the risk of a fire starting is increased.
Stay informed on hot, dry, windy days by monitoring conditions outside and tuning into a local emergency broadcaster, checking emergency.vic.gov.au regularly and by downloading the VicEmergency app.
Leaving early is the safest option to protect yourself and your family.
Cities and Towns meet Grasslands
If you live in a built-up area on the edge of grassland – whether it’s open grassland, parks, paddocks or reserves – you could be impacted by grassfire this summer.
Grassfires can start anywhere and spread quickly.
Lots of smoke: Smoke makes it hard to see and can cause breathing difficulties.Remember, smoke may lead to traffic congestion and accidents so stay off the roads.
Radiant heat: Radiant heat is the heat created by a fire.If there’s a fire close by, it’s important to cover up any exposed skin because radiant heat can cause serious injury or death.Distance is the best protection against radiant heat, so it’s important to move two or more streets away from the fire.
What to do
If you live in an urban area near grasslands, walk at least two streets back if a fire starts. If you live two or three streets away from grassland and a grassfire starts, stay where you are. Grassfires are unlikely to spread into built up areas.It is safest to do this by walking to keep roads clear for emergency services and help reduce road accidents.
Act early, even if you haven’t received a warning.
If you live two or more streets away from grassland you should stay where you are.Grassfire is unlikely to spread into built up areas.Stay indoors and keep all windows and doors closed, place towels or blankets around the bottom of doors and window sills and don’t use your air conditioner.
Reduce your risk. Mow your grass and remove anything flammable – firewood, rubbish, weeds – from around your home and fence line.
Stay informed on hot, dry, windy days by monitoring conditions outside and tuning into a local emergency broadcaster, checking emergency.vic.gov.au regularly and by downloading the VicEmergency app.