Mutual Mission: Key Individual & Community Actions for Managing Bushfire Risks

For those of us who live closer to the high-risk areas, this mission may feel more pressing.

While there is little we can do in an active bushfire, there are definitely steps we can implement to manage risks.

In this guide, we’ll detail the actionable steps you and your community can take to reduce the risks associated with bushfires.

Understanding Bushfire Risks

Australia is uniquely prone to bushfires.

Our drought-prone climate, dry vegetation, wind patterns, and frequent heatwaves all contribute to their occurrence.

Once begun, an Australian bushfire is challenging to stop, as our beloved eucalyptus tree produces highly flammable oils that make a fire rage.

Bushfires have long been a natural part of the Australian ecosystem, carefully managed by the Indigenous custodians of the land.

However, not all bushfires are natural.

They can ignite due to human error, such as leaving an unattended campfire, or human intention, such as committing arson.

These are some of the most devastating bushfires, destroying our homes, communities, and environment.

Even when they’re started naturally, climate conditions and population growth have meant their impact can be highly destructive and near impossible to contain.

Although bushfires will never completely disappear from Australia, we can manage the risks with individual and community efforts.

What You Can Do to Manage Bushfire Risks

Preparing to Protect Your Property

As they say, failure to prepare is preparing to fail.

You can mitigate the risks of bushfires by taking time to properly prepare your property before disaster.

A great place to begin is by investing in fire-retardant construction and build materials from local Australian suppliers like Outback Fencing. In the face of bushfires, traditional wooden fencing poses an obvious hazard.

Protect the perimeter of your property with Colorbond steel fencing, a non-combustible barrier that offers greater fire protection than alternatives.

Colorbond steel has a Spread-of-Flame index of zero, meaning it doesn’t just keep fire off your property, but prevents it from spreading to your neighbour's, too.

Additionally, you should install ember seals on your doors, roofs and vents.

These seals protect the openings to your home from loose embers and smoke that make a fire spread.

And out in the garden, it’s also crucial to routinely remove debris and dry vegetation from your gardens and grounds to starve a potential fire from its fuel and ensure your escape routes remain viable.

By using the right materials and fire safety measures for your property, you can reduce risks of bushfire damage to your home.

Planning for a Bushfire Emergency

When preparing your property, start thinking about your family’s emergency plan as well. A “go” bag is key to having a quick evacuation during a bushfire.

At a minimum, stock your go bag with first-aid kits, bottles of water, and copies of essential documents.

Many state governments offer online bushfire planning templates you can use to determine your time of exit, escape route and means of staying up-to-date on the latest information.

When plotting your evacuation route, try to consider multiple options and note the location of your community’s fire refuge.

Don’t forget to plan for your pets and livestock during a bushfire, too!

What Your Community Can Do to Manage Bushfire Risks

Creating Collaborative Firebreaks and Controlled Burns

Bushfires spread quickly.

Firebreaks are barriers that can keep a small bushfire from becoming a nationwide catastrophe.

These can include man-made barriers like swimming pools and roads, natural barriers like rivers or gullies, or living firebreaks like different varieties of blue bush.

Communities can help keep their neighbourhoods safe by collaborating to create man-made and living firebreaks.

This can involve keeping public spaces such as sidewalks and car parks free from vegetation and flammable debris, planting gardens of fire-resistant plants that will not burn in the face of continued flame, and funding efforts to create barriers near high-risk areas like forests.

Additionally, communities can support controlled burns implemented under local fire authorities.

A controlled burn may sound counterintuitive, but these low-intensity fires actually reduce fuel loads in public spaces, reducing the likelihood of a bushfire igniting.

Sharing Infrastructure for Fire Safety

Installing community water tanks and pumps can significantly improve fire safety.

Choose ones that collect and retain rainwater to build a passive water supply over time.

Local governments should ensure that both public and private water sources are clearly marked with Static Water Supply signs so firefighters know what is available to them.

Hydrants should also be well-maintained and easy to locate.

Additionally, it is crucial to establish and maintain designated safety zones, especially in high-risk areas.

Fire refuge buildings should be made of non-combustible materials, well-marked, accessible to people with disabilities, and stocked with emergency supplies.

Communities should also incorporate sirens or digital alert systems to further enhance their response to bushfires.

Building Neighbourhood Awareness and Support

Workshops and school sessions are excellent ways to share knowledge about fire safety and bushfire risks, strengthening awareness and building a community’s capacity and capability.

Local fire departments can offer hands-on training about dealing with bushfires, and community members can volunteer to protect their communities.

Staying connected to neighbours—whether online or in person—can ensure each community member can ask questions, share updates and alert their neighbours.

If a bushfire wreaks havoc on a community, organising support initiatives is an excellent way to help the affected recover.

Summarising the Steps to Minimise Risk

Bushfires have been undeniably destructive in Australia, but fortunately, there are steps you and your community can take to mitigate the risks of bushfires in your area.

Here’s how:

While bushfires are an unavoidable feature of Australian life, these tips can reduce the risks of bushfires and help keep you and your community safe.