Staying in high bushfire risk areas
If you are staying in an area where there are lots of trees, shrubs or dry grass, regardless of whether it is a bed and breakfast, holiday house, motel or caravan park you will need to think about the bushfire risk.
When you arrive at your place of lodging, check with the owner, manager or booking agent to see whether they have an existing emergency plan and can offer you some local practical advice.
If a fire threatens the area where you are staying, it will be safer to stay within the building and seek shelter as the fire passes than to attempt to leave at the last minute.
Do not leave at the last minute. Being caught on the roads can be a dangerous.
If you do get caught in a bushfire, make sure you:
- Seek refuge inside the building
- Wear long sleeves and long pants (made of natural fibres) and sturdy shoes
- Shut the doors and windows
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
- Wet towels and woollen blankets and place around window and door edges to stop smoke getting into the building
- Fill any buckets and containers with water to douse any small fires that might start within the building
- Watch what is happening outside – as soon as the flames pass and it is safe to do so, move out of the building and into a burnt area.
If there is a fire burning at a distance, you may feel confident that you can leave the area well before the fire threatens and road travel becomes dangerous. You must ensure that you can reach a safe place such as a town centre well before the fire reaches the immediate area. If there is any doubt, stay and seek refuge inside the house or building.
Do not get caught outside when a fire approaches.
