Bushfire
Understand what causes bushfires and how you can prepare for, manage, and recover from them.
Bushfires play a key role in the health of Australia’s native landscape. When conditions create extremely hot fires, however, the impacts and effects outweigh the benefits. The 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires was an example of this. As the climate changes these bushfires may become more frequent.
What causes bushfires
Climate conditions, known as fire weather, can increase the likelihood of a bushfire starting. Including:
- high temperatures
- low rainfall and humidity
- thunderstorms and strong winds.
To avoid accidently starting a bushfire during fire weather conditions:
- take care when mowing long, dry grass
- do not light open fires
- avoid activities such as welding, grinding and soldering.
Impacts and effects
Bushfires and bushfire smoke can cause:
- distress and breathing difficulties
- need for medical and wellbeing services to rise
- destruction of buildings and community facilities
- soil erosion, water pollution and animal and plant species to decline
- services such as power, water, businesses, and supply networks to stop
- the economy to decline because of these impacts
- people to become displaced
- the demand for building supplies and housing to increase.
Who is most at risk
The ACT Bushfire Prone area map shows areas that are at highest risk of bushfires. Bushfires often start in the Brindabella mountains, which surround the ACT in the west and north.
Even if you don’t live close to bushland, bushfires can impact you. Hazards include:
- embers
- heat
- strong winds
- fallen objects like trees
- smoke.
People who can’t leave their homes easily and people with breathing problems are most at risk.
Before a bushfire
Use the bushfire prone area map to determine the risk where you live. Think about where you might go if you need to evacuate, and how you might get there.
Talk to your doctor about how bushfire smoke might affect you.
Take these steps before a bushfire to reduce your risk:
- Write a household survival plan and pack a home emergency kit.
- If you have asthma or other breathing issues, talk to your doctor about developing an action plan.
- Check that your home and contents insurance covers bushfire damage.
- Make copies of your important documents [DOC 754 KB].
- Design your home and garden [PDF 8.6 MB] to reduce the risk of bushfires. Maintain your home and garden [PDF 1.6 MB] to continue to manage bushfire risk.
- If you are a rural landowner, get advice on bushfire preparedness. The Farm FireWise Program [PDF 1.8 MB] can assist.
- Write a list of people you could ask for assistance during a bushfire.
During bushfire season, stay informed by:
- Checking the ACT Emergency Services Agency website and social media channels. The public will receive daily updates on the bushfire threat level. When the threat is high, the public will also receive advice on what to do to stay safe. This may include a Total Fire Ban.
- Installing the Hazards Near Me NSW app.
During a bushfire
During bushfires, you can find warnings and updates on:
- the ACT Emergency Services Agency website
- ACT Government social media channels.
You can also find updates by accessing:
- ABC radio emergency broadcasts
- the Hazards Near Me NSW app.
It is important to note:
- traffic problems and road closures on your planned evacuation route
- the air quality readings and what you need to do to stay safe.
You might get a call or message on your mobile phone. Local emergency services will do this when there is an emergency nearby. Follow the directions given.
Stay in touch with friends, neighbours, and loved ones. If you need assistance, reach out to your contacts list. Let someone know if you plan to evacuate and where you intend to shelter.
If bushfire smoke is making you or someone you know unwell:
- contact your doctor
- go to a walk-in centre
- call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
If you or someone else are experiencing shortness of breath:
- go to the nearest hospital emergency department
- call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Leaving early is always the safest option. Don’t wait for a warning to:
- Check your home emergency kit. Add last minute items such as important documents, medication, and clean drinking water.
- Decide where you will evacuate to. Evacuation centres should be a last resort, plan to stay with family or friends if you can.
- Pack food, water and bedding for your animals. Secure them safely. Check that they are wearing identification.
- Avoid fallen power lines, as well as debris near them. These could be live and cause an electric shock.
If bushfire smoke is an issue:
- Follow your asthma or medical action plan. If you have medication prescribed, carry it with you.
- Stay inside. Keep the windows shut and turn on air conditioning.
- If you don’t have air conditioning, go to places that do, like cinemas and shopping centres.
- Do not engage in outdoor exercise.
After a bushfire
Check on loved ones and assess damage to your property.
- If you can’t locate a neighbour, friend, or relative, report it.
- To find lost animals, check online.
- Take photos of damaged property and secure the site if you can.
Do not enter a bushfire effected area until it is safe. Hazard such as damaged and unstable buildings and reduced air and water quality remain.
- Shut off and report damaged utilities. Stay clear of fallen power lines and debris near them. These could be live and cause an electric shock.
- Monitor for health alerts about air and water quality.
- Get assistance for your mental health if you need it.
Recovering from a bushfire can be hard. There are services and supports to help:
- ask your insurance provider about making a claim.
- check if you are eligible for financial assistance.
Assess what worked and what didn’t work:
- review your household survival plan and home emergency kit
- consider what you might change in and around your home to reduce bushfire risk
- reassess your asthma or medical action plan.
Related information
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Read the ACT Governments strategic plan for managing bushfire risk in the ACT.
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Find out about fuel reduction burns.
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Check advice about what activities you should avoid on high fire danger days.
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Discover more about the effect of bushfire smoke on health.
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Find out what else you can do to reduce your risk and become more disaster resilience.