I live in an area surrounded by bush

What to expect:

• Fires in dense bush land can be very hot, intense and fast moving
• Burning embers may be blown from the bush, landing on your property and starting spot fires or setting fire to your home
• Once a fire has passed, the risk of burning embers falling can exist for many hours
• Thick smoke may make it difficult to leave
• The heat from a fire nearby may set fire to your home or surrounds

I live close to grassland or paddocks

What to expect:

• Grass fires can start and spread easily and quickly, not only destroying homes but also crops and livelihoods
• Grass fires are very hot and can produce huge amounts of heat
• As grass dries out or cures, it can catch fire more easily
• Fires in tall grass will have tall flames that may burn across trails, roads or fire breaks
• Grass fires can move much faster than a bush fire, often catching people off guard

I live in an area where the bush or grasslands meet built-up areas

What to expect:

• Fires can spread quickly from parks and reserves, threatening your home, fences or gardens
• Thick smoke from the fire might make it difficult to see or breathe
• Even if you live a few streets back from the bush, you are at risk from ember attack
• Burning embers can travel through the air, setting fire to homes a few streets back from the bush 

I live near the coast 

What to expect:

• Burning scrub or coastal heath can be very hot and burn very quickly
• Fires burning in coastal areas can reach homes quickly
• Access may be difficult, especially if roads in the area are busy or blocked
• Burning embers may be blown from the fire towards your home, starting spot fires 

Fire Behaviour

There are a number of things which can affect the way a fire burns, including:

• Slope –  a fire travelling uphill will travel faster becoming more intense and more dangerous.
• Vegetation –  smaller items such as twigs, branches and leaves are known as 'fine fuels'. These can burn very easily. Burning bark, twigs and leaves can also be blown in the wind.
• Weather –  when it's hot, dry and windy, fires can be more intense and unpredictable. Strong winds can send a fire in different directions and cause burning embers to be blown through the air.

Know your risk and be prepared

DFES publish useful information that can assist you in learning about the risks you face and the different types of warnings.

Download their Bushfire Information Guide here for more information.

Make a plan and talk about it

Know your limitations and plan accordingly. Visit the DFES website for more information on how you can make a bushfire survival plan for you and your family.

Make preparations to your home.

Preparing your home can reduce the risk of embers starting spot fires around your home. Download the Bushfire Home Owners Survival Manual published by DFES for more information

Stay Informed

During hire fire danger periods, ensure that you stay informed on the current conditions. Our Warning and Alerts Page (Link) is updated when new information is received and ABC Radio will broadcast live up to date information around the clock