Bushfire

If you are in danger from a bushfire here are some things you can do to survive.

If a fire starts in the area

What to do

• Seek further information but don't rely on one source - eg CFS website, CFS social media, AlertSA app, your local ABC radio station.
• Call neighbours so that everyone knows what is happening.
• Get into your fire clothes - long sleeves and pants made of natural fibres.
• Turn on roof sprinklers making sure you manage your water supply so there is sufficient water when the fire arrives.
• Shut the doors and windows.
• Put tape across the inside of the windows so they remain in place if broken.
• Watch out for flying embers.
• Prepare yourself mentally for the coming fire.
• Stay informed.

What not to do

• Don't hide, you'll need to stay alert to what's happening.
• Don't stand on your roof with your hose; often more people are injured falling from roofs than suffer burn injuries.

If a fire is approaching

Stay calm, check for embers and extinguish spot fires.

What to expect

• Flying embers and sparks can light spot fires before the fire front arrives.
• Smoke will reduce visibility.
• You may be without power and water.

What to do

• Extinguish spot fires.
• Wet vegetation near your house with a hose or sprinkler.
• Double check that all the doors and windows are shut and place wet blankets and towels around windows and door edges to keep out smoke and embers.
• Take down curtains and move furniture away from the windows.
• Stay close to the house.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Check the welfare of others.
• Patrol the inside of the home as well as the outside for embers or small fires.

What not to do

Don't try to out run the fire in a car. A car on the road is one of the most dangerous places to be in a bushfire.

If a fire arrives

Seek shelter inside and actively defend your home.

What to expect

• It will be dark and very loud.
• There will be smoke, embers and flames.
• The fire will give off radiant heat. This is the biggest killer.

What to do

• Take all firefighting equipment inside such as hoses and pumps as they may melt during the fire.
• Move inside the house until the fire front passes. If possible shelter in a room with two exits farthest from the oncoming fire front. Keep moving through the house to position yourself as far from the passing fire front as possible.
• Patrol inside the house including checking the ceiling space for embers and small fires.
• Continue to drink water.

What not to do

• Don't shelter in a dam, swimming pool or tank, as radiant heat and smoke can still damage your face, head and lungs.
• Don't shelter in a room without two exits as you may become trapped. You will need to exit the burning building once the fire front passes.
• Don't stand on your roof with a hose.

After a fire has passed

After the fire front has passed, go outside and continue to extinguish any spot fires around your property.