Prepare yourself and your property for bushfire season

You do not have to live in the bush to be threatened by bushfires, as fires can occur in suburbs where houses are surrounded by grassland, bush or parkland. When there is a bushfire in or near your area, you and your home may be affected by burning material, embers and smoke.

Know your bushfire risk

  • Check your postcode and find out the potential for bushfires to take hold in your neighbourhood.
  • You can also use council’s My Property Look Up tool to find out if your property is identified on the bushfire hazard overlay map.
  • Know your daily Fire Danger Rating - the Fire Danger Rating is an early indicator of potential danger and should act as your first trigger for action. The higher the rating, the greater the need for you to act. The Bureau of Meteorology update the Fire Danger Rating map daily. 

Prepare your family and property

There are a number of steps residents can take to minimise the impact of bushfires including:

  • Create a Bushfire Survival Plan
  • Trim low-lying branches and native shrubs growing too close to the house
  • Mow your grass regularly to keep it short
  • Remove all rubbish, leaf litter, firewood and fuel containers near the house
  • Prepare a Bushfire Evacuation Kit(PDF, 138KB) to ensure you and your family have important items and equipment required to relocate for the time needed
  • Learn more about bushfire safety and preparing for bushfire season at the Queensland Fire Department website.

Managing rural properties

Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides a number of useful tips on ways you can reduce the risk of bush fire on your property.

Rural landholders should also consider other forms of preparedness, including establishing a fire break around your home.

  • If possible, make a firebreak around your home using a mower, rake etc
  • Where establishing a fire break involves clearing vegetation (cutting down, burning or other methods) you are required to contact council’s Development Services team before commencing any works on 3205 0555 or email council@moretonbay.qld.gov.au 
  • You are also required to obtain a fire permit from your local rural fire service before conducting any burning on private property. Permits are free. You will find contact details for your local warden on the QFD website.

For more information about using fire outdoors visit the QFD website.

Tune into warnings

All Queenslanders should be familiar with the official Bushfire Warnings system. When there is a bushfire in your area, it is up to you to take notice, seek information, make decisions and act.

Warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology or Queensland State Disaster Coordination Centre provide timely information and advice that may direct you to:

  • Stay informed
  • Monitor your local conditions
  • Implement your emergency plan
  • Prepare to leave
  • Evacuate to a safer location

Become familiar with the range of warnings and alerts that are issued by the Queensland Government and agencies.

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