Bush fire

Bushfires are unfortunately a common threat for many Western Australians - especially for those in regional areas and on the outskirts of Perth. But planning for a bushfire should not just happen a few weeks before summer hits - it should start during the winter and spring months so nothing is left to chance.

Before You Build

• When buying land or property it is important to discuss with the real estate agent whether it is in a bush fire prone area.
• When selecting a house site it is important to keep in mind the aspect, slope and vegetation on the property.
• Houses situated on top of a ridge are in more danger than those in gullies. Steep slopes are more dangerous than gentle slopes because as a fire burns, it heats up fuel ahead of it bringing it closer to ignition point. This heating by radiation and convection is accelerated whilst travelling uphill. Put simply, fire burns quicker uphill than down.
• Building in a district with large areas of native vegetation is more dangerous than an area where the undergrowth has been cleared - because any fire has more fuel to burn.
• Most houses burn in a bush fire because a flying ember has been caught either under loose roofs, under verandahs and even on windowsills.
• The safest shape for your house is one with a smooth outside shape, single storey and with a low pitched roof.
• The walls should be constructed with non-flammable materials such as brick and concrete or fibre cement sheeting.
• The roof should not be thatched or have timber shingles.
• It is important to remember that any home on poles or stumps can facilitate a fire starting in the floor from underneath the house. If you must have the house on stumps, ensure that it is enclosed to stop flying embers.
• Plastic skylights can melt and glass ones can break allowing embers to fall into your house. If skylights are part of your house design ensure that they have either a wire meshed glass or thermoplastic cover.
• Avoid elevated timber decking, raised verandahs or stairs where embers can get caught. Avoid rough sawn timber which is more easily ignited. You may wish to consider using a dense hardwood timber such as jarrah, which is not as easily burnt or have the timber painted using a non-flammable coating.

Alternative Water Sources

• Install a water tank where water can be pumped out by a small petrol or diesel pump. The pump shouldn't be electric in case the power is cut to your house during a fire.
• If your house is on mains water, you may consider running it though your tank so it is always full.
• If your tank is on a metal stand (using gravity to feed the water) it may buckle under the heat so place a heat shield around it such as corrugated iron.

Sprinkler Systems

• Consider an external sprinkler system as part of your fire protection plans.
• You must ensure that someone will be home to turn the sprinklers on.
• You must also have a sufficient water supply to enable to sprinklers to operate for at least 2 or 3 hours in case the mains water is switched off, or pressure falls to such a level to make the whole system ineffective. Some Australian brigades suggest an independent water supply such as a tank or swimming pool with 22,000 litres of water should be sufficient.
• You should have a petrol or diesel pump to deliver the water from the tank to the sprinklers - one with a keystart is best.
• The pump should be located in a well ventilated shed (which is easily accessible) or a small insulated pump shelter on the side of the house.
• Sprinklers should be placed so that there is sufficient spray overlap during strong winds.
• All pipes and fittings for your sprinkler system above ground should be metal, but anything below ground can be plastic provided it is at least 30cm deep.

Roof Mounted Sprinklers

• Designed to reduce the impact of ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact.
• Should be directed at an angle from the house so the water covers both the roof and runs down the walls.
• If your house is already radiant heat protected, consider just having sprinklers on the ground to wet down surrounding vegetation.

Landscaping

• Appropriate landscaping can help to protect your home by reducing the intensity of an approaching fire, reducing wind speed (thus slowing the movement of the fire), deflecting and filtering embers and providing relief from the fire's radiant heat.
• A mowed lawn is effective at slowing the progress of a fire and should be established around buildings. Paving or gravel landscaping is effective also.
• Trees and bushes should not be planted closer to buildings than the distance equal to their mature height because if they burn and then fall, they will land on your house.
• Trees should be spaced so that they do not create a continuous canopy from the bush to the house. Trees should be planted singularly or in small clumps.
• Well watered fruit trees and vegetable patches should be placed between the house and the direction any expected bush fire would come from.
• Swimming pools or tennis courts should be placed between the house and expected direction of the fire.
• Your driveway should be positioned between the house and the expected direction of the fire.
• A wall, mound of earth or hedge positioned near the house will work to protect it from radiant heat.
• Locate your shed and garage away from the house.

Fire Retardant Plants

• Establish plant species in your garden that are more fire resistant than others.
• Plants that provide more protection from fire than others include those with a high salt, high moisture and low oil flammability content in their leaves.
• Water in summer if possible so that plants retain their moisture content.
• Remove dead branches, leaves and dried mulch from your garden as they will sustain a fire.
• Always check first with your local council or Agriculture WA about what's best for your local area.

Windbreaks

• Wind breaks can provide protection for your house by reducing wind speed, filtering out flying embers and slowing the spread of the fire.
• Plant multiple rows of trees instead of just one.
• Plant on each side of the house prone to bush fires.
• The windbreak should be open (the wind can easily pass through) rather than closed, which will cause turbulence.
• Trees in the wind break should have lower limbs removed out of the reach of flames on the ground and debris such as fallen leaves regularly removed.

Prepare for Summer

• Become more vigilant when thinking about protecting your home from fire.
• Prepare a 20 metre fire protection zone around your house.
• Store all flammable liquid safely in a shed or garage and away from the house.
• Clear gutters and the roof of leaves and debri.
• Make sure that your water hoses can reach every corner of the house.
• Test petrol or diesel driven pumps to ensure they work and have fuel.
• Ember proof your home by installing metal fly-screens or metal roller shutters to all windows, vents and chimneys.
• Cover plastic or glass sky lights with flat wire meshed glass or thermoplastic.
• Check that there are no open eaves or gaps in the roof which could allow flying embers to enter your roof space.
• Remove ignitable objects from around the outside of your house such as wood, fuel containers, general rubbish.
• LP Gas cylinders should be located on the side of the house furthest away from the approaching fire with the pressure release valve facing away from the house, and there should be no flammable material within 6 metres of the valve.

Bush Fire Kit

A bush fire kit should contain all essential items you will need to better protect yourself and your property from bush fire. This kit should include:

• Towels - these can be soaked in water and placed in spots around your house which may be vulnerable to ember attack, or to seal under doors and windows.
• Metal buckets and mops - for fighting spot fires.
• Metal ladder - so you can check roof cavities and eaves for fire.
• Torch - include spare batteries as well.
• Portable radio - for bush local bush fire warnings.
• Mobile phone.
• Knapsack spray - for putting out small fires.
• Protective clothing - to protect you from smoke and heat.
• Wide brimmed or hard hat.
• Long sleeve overalls or shirt and long pants (ideally made from wool).
• Goggles and gloves
• Sturdy leather footwear (not with elastic sides).
• Mask - you may improvise with a towel or handkerchief to minimise the amount of smoke you inhale.
• Protective woollen blankets and towels.
• First aid kit.

Staying With Your Home

• Utilise your Bush Fire Kit and ensure that you are capable of fighting a fire.
• Close all windows and window shutters
• Move all outdoor furniture inside.
• Make sure pets are inside.
• Take down curtains and move furniture away from the windows.
• Turn your sprinklers on as the fire front approaches making sure they cover the vulnerable parts such as gas bottles and verandas.
• Fill all your sinks, troughs and bath with water.
• Block your downpipes so the gutters can be filled with water.
• Soak towels and blankets with water and use them to block doors to stop sparks entering.
• Keep buckets of water and mops handy to put out small spot fires.
• As the front approaches turn off the electricity and gas supply and move people to your predetermined refuge room - this room in your house will be on the opposite side of the house to the fire, it will have a window from which you can survey what is happening outside and at least two exits. People who are staying but not actively fighting the fire should be kept in this room along with any valuables.
• Continuously check the house and surrounds for spot fires and put them out.
• If possible check the roof space for fires as well.
• If a fire breaks out in the house move all occupants to another safe area if you have one.
• Always hose the fire in a sweeping motion.
• Hose the fire closest to you and once that is out, tackle any fires further away.
• Hosing the ground in front of the fire will slow its progress.
• Shovelling sand or soil onto a spot fire is an effective way of putting it out.
• A wet towel or blanket is also useful for beating out flames.

The Fire Front

• Retreat into your safe refuge inside the house.
• Take buckets, hoses and fire fighting equipment which could melt.
• Patrol inside the house and in the roof space for spot fires - and put them out.
• Drink plenty of water and reassure family and pets.

Radiant Heat

• Radiant heat is the major cause of death during a bush fire. Death is caused by heat stroke - the body's natural cooling system fails leading to heat exhaustion.
• Avoid radiant heat by decreasing fire intensity by moving away from the source of the heat, or by putting a barrier between you and the fire such as a solid wall, blankets or a building.
• Drink plenty of water, shelter as much as possible especially as the fire front approaches, avoid exerting yourself too much and wear appropriate clothing.

Refuge

• Do not take refuge in water tanks (especially elevated ones) because your body will absorb more heat than it is capable.
• Cellars should be avoided as a place of refuge as they only have one exit.
• Avoid using your swimming pool as a refuge because exposed parts of the body (above the water line) will still be subject to ember attack and radiant heat.
• If your house has been properly fire protected, you are better off taking refuge in an appropriate room inside it.

After the Fire

• Houses can burn many hours after the fire front has passed, so remain vigilant.
• Continue to patrol your property for 3 to 8 hours to ensure new outbreaks are quickly extinguished.
• Check crevices in windows and walls and furniture for embers.
• Check under the floor if possible.
• Hose down trees and bushes near your house.
• Check garages and sheds for fire.
• Let family and friends know that you are OK.

Evacuating

• Decide in advance where you are going to go and the best way to get there.
• Decide in advance who will stay and who will go - this should be discussed so that everyone understands their role.
• Consider what to do if you get separated or if you are unable to complete your journey.
• Never wait until the last minute to leave.

Evacuation Kit

An evacuation kit should be stored in an easily accessible place and should contain:

• Woollen blankets.
• Container of water.
• First aid kit.
• Documents, medication and valuables.

If you have pets your kit should also contain:

• Pet food.
• A dish for water.
• Leash or cage.
• Any medication your pet might be on.
• The telephone number of your vet.

Protect yourself in your car by taking the following precautions:

• Leave as early as possible.
• Keep your windows wound up.
• Turn your headlights on so others can see you.
• Switch your heater/air conditioner to re-circulate so smoke won't enter your car.

Taking Refuge in Your Car

• Try and park a golf course, oval or clear roadway away from all long grass or shrubs.
• Leave your headlights and hazard lights on while keeping the engine running.
• Close all windows and vents.
• If you wait for the fire front to pass lie down on the floor of your car as low as possible and cover yourself with the woollen blanket. It will get very hot but the blanket will protect you from radiant heat.
• Drink water.
• Operate the windscreen wipers from time to time to dislodge any embers.
• Do not get out of the vehicle or open the windows unless the fire front has passed.
• Try not to panic.

Moving Through the Fire Front

• If you are on foot, you should only move through the fire front as an absolute last resort.
• Cover all exposed skin as best you can.
• Move fast.
• Take the easiest path and try to avoid dense vegetation, logs or undulating ground.
• Keep as low to the ground as possible.
• Wait until there appears to be a break in the flames.
• Never run uphill because fire moves fastest uphill than down.

How a Fire Behaves

• Behaviour is dependent upon three factors; vegetation, topography and the weather.
• Intensity is dependent upon the availability of fuel.

Disclaimer
This information is provided by Royal Automobile Club (WA) Inc (RAC) voluntarily as a public service. It has been prepared in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. Nonetheless, the reliability and accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed and the RAC expressly disclaims liability for any act or omission done or not done in reliance on the information and for any consequences, whether direct or indirect, arising from such act or omission. This information is intended to be a guide only and readers should obtain their own independent advice and their own necessary inquiries.