BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL
- Strategies to Stay Safe
In a Bushfire – Basic Principles
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Radiant heat is the chief killer. Basic principles are to shelter from
radiant heat & do not panic.
In a severe fire the air temperature near the ground remains relatively cool
& although uncomfortable to breathe, there is enough oxygen in the air to
survive.
Cover all exposed skin to protect yourself from radiant heat.
Wear clothing made from natural materials – wool or cotton. Synthetics can
melt & stick to your skin.
In a Bushfire - in a car
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Do not drive through thick smoke
Stop car on bare ground/least
undergrowth, off of a roadway
Wind up windows/ close air vents
Turn off the ignition
Turn on the lights
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Shelter from radiant heat by
lying on floor and covering
yourself with a blanket
Stay in the car until main fire
front passes
When you get out, cover all
exposed skin, move away from the
car & stay on bare/burnt ground
In a Bushfire - in a house
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Wear protective clothing
Close all doors & windows
Block gaps with wet
towels/blankets
Fill sinks & have buckets nearby
Block pipes with rags & fill
gutters with water
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Shelter in the room furthest
from approaching fire
After the fire passes check to
see if any small fires have
started
If the house is on fire, cover
exposed skin & move onto burnt
ground
In a Bushfire – on foot
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Do not panic. Run only when
necessary
Do not run uphill/ away from the
fire or through the fire front
Hide in a running stream or lake
or choose an open
space/clearing/track
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Seek shelter from radiant heat
behind a log or rock or a rut in
the ground
Clear away flammable material
Cover all exposed skin; Best of all,
bury yourself in earth
Lie flat, face down, on the ground