Bushfire
Get information about bushfires from the Country Fire Service (CFS) website.
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.