Prepare for a Bushfire

Results of scientific studies conducted by the CSIRO have shown that ember attack (embers blown by the wind) was responsible for the majority of houses damaged or destroyed by bushfire. You can minimise the effect that ember attack will have on your home by undertaking a few simple tasks.

These include: 

• Regular cleaning of gutters to prevent a build up of leaves and sticks

• Removal of flammable materials such as woodpiles and dead/dry plants and grass from around your home

• Fitting wire mesh screens to windows and doors

• Enclosing spaces where embers could enter the structure of your home such as underfloor areas and under eaves

Implementing these simple measures will reduce the probability that embers will settle on and ignite either your home or materials adjacent to it. 

Creating an asset protection zone around your home will also reduce the chances of the fire front actually reaching your house (direct flame contact) and will reduce the effects of radiant heat.

An asset protection zone:

• is an area of ground that has been cleared and maintained to minimise the amount of fuel available to a fire. When a fire approaches a well-prepared asset protection zone, it runs out of fuel and the intensity of the fire diminishes. In some cases a fire may even self extinguish. 
• needs to be suited to both the vegetation surrounding your property and the aspect and slope of the land.
• does not need to be cleared to bare earth, but it should aim to reduce the amount of fuel available to a fire as the fire front approaches.

Hotspots is a community engagement program that provides private landholders and land managers with the skills and knowledge to actively participate in fire management for the protection of life and property, while at the same time ensuring biodiversity is protected and maintained.

For more information on the Hotspots Program, fire management planning information and other resources please contact the Hotspots Program at the NSW RFS on 02 8741 5555 or visit: 

Hotspots Website 

The NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Nature Conservation Council are partnering with Wingecarribee Shire Council to deliver fire management training for landholders living or managing properties in bush fire prone areas.

To register your interest in attending these workshops contact: 

NSW RFS

Email: info@hotspotsproject.org.au or hotspots@rfs.nsw.gov.au

or  

Council's Bushfire Management Officer

Telephone: 02 4868 0888 

Prepare Your Home

Prepare Your Home and Property

Standards for Asset Protection Zones

Is Your Home Fire Safe? 

Bushfire Resilience Rating Home Self-Assessment

You can download this Bushfire Resilience Rating App to help you assess your home and make improvements to it's bushfire resilience.

Through the App you can determine bushfire resilience of your home. The app uses a star-rating system and gives you a personalised action plan to make improvements and increase your home's star rating and its bushfire resilience.

Click the button below to sign up for the Bushfire Resilience Rating app.

Bushfire Resilience Rating App

Prepare yourself and your family

Fire Safety for Your Pets

Prepare Your Livestock for a Bushfire 

Farm Fire Safety

Introduction to Farm Fire Wise

NSW Rural Fire Service handy hints for safe pile burning