Bushfires

Caravan trips are a staple of the Aussie summer holidays. Unfortunately, so are bushfires. Every year, thousands of hectares of bushland all over the country are destroyed by the fury of a raging bushfire.

Camping spots in national parks and state forests are often found in bushy areas where there is a high fire danger, and so caravanners can often be at risk. Here’s a list of fire-safety tips to help keep you out of danger this summer.

• Choose a site with good access and escape routes. If possible, try and be close to water.
• Choose a level site or one away from a hilltop, as fire travels faster uphill.
• Be very careful when selecting a spot for a campfire. Make sure there is no combustible material close by.
• Never leave a camp fire unattended. Make sure that all camp fires are thoroughly extinguished before leaving a site.
• Obey Total Fire Bans.
• Always keep an eye on weather conditions.
• Take care with gas cylinders.
• Don’t leave paper or other rubbish on the site.
• A shovel is a useful fire fighting tool – it can be used to place dirt or sand on a fire or to scrape fuel away.
• If there is smoke and bushfires in the area, be prepared to evacuate as quickly as possible.
• Dress sensibly in cotton or woollen clothing, not in synthetic material.
• Pay attention to any safety warnings
• If a bushfire is in the area, make your decision to STAY or GO early in the piece.
• If caught in a bushfire, try not to panic and do not leave your companions. Seek shelter in your vehicle or in a large body of water (not a water tank)

Always get advice from the local authority where you are camped, whether it be the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the local rural fire brigade or some other source.

Be fire-safe this summer.