People and communities who live near bush or grassland areas need to be aware of the year-round potential fire hazard that exists in their area.

Your home could be at risk through direct fire contact or an ember attack and are urged to take the necessary precautions to preserve life.

Although many people living in fire-prone areas already take some necessary precautions, many, however, fail to recognise the danger represented by organic matter build-up, failing to clear the land surrounding their home and ensuring that gutters and roof valleys are kept clean at all times from debris such as leaves and twigs.

Understanding bushfires, their threat to personal property and life is imperative to keeping yourself and the ones you love as well as other members of your community safe.

There are (3) main causes of ignition which can ignite buildings, they are by ember attack, direct exposure to flame or radiant heat. Below briefly describes these risks;

1. Radiant heat is one of the principal causes of loss of life in bushfires, it rarely is responsible for the loss of property, radiant heat from surrounding bushfires means that buildings themselves don’t necessarily catch alight.
2. Ember attack is primarily responsible for building loss during bushfires. Embers can be carried by the wind and can arrive an hour or more before the fire arrives. Embers can enter through open windows, ignite surrounding grass or start small scrub fires that can engulf a building if the home is unoccupied at the time.
   
3. Direct contact with a fire. Often when fire approaches, embers and radiant heat are at their maximum. Grass and plants around the home can ignite. Embers can enter through open windows and gutters can ignite when filled with leaves and twigs.