Hotter weather generally means a heightened risk of bushfires, particularly in regions that experienced significant rainfall and growth in vegetation and are now experiencing hot and dry conditions.
In a study by Suncorp Insurance, it was found that 55% of Australians are unaware that rivers, creeks or roads cannot halt the path of a highly intense bushfire, while 42% mistakenly believed it was ‘safe to remain on their property during a bushfire event’ unless explicitly advised by emergency services.
A bushfire can go from zero to 100 in a matter of seconds. Always prepare ahead. Picture: Getty
As Suncorp Insurance’s Climatologist, Dr Rhys Whitley notes: “The long-term average climate for Australia is one that is getting hotter and drier across many parts of the continent, with an increase in the number of fire weather danger days and earlier starts to the bushfire season.”
Maintaining a proactive approach to bushfire readiness can significantly enhance your safety and that of your community during the upcoming summer months.
To shed light on the current bushfire outlook and essential preparations, Dr Whitley explains what we can expect for the rest of the season, how to prepare your home, as well as essential steps to keep you and your family safe.
What to expect for the rest of the Season
While El Niño events setup a background climate that favours hotter and drier weather, Dr Whitely cautions that it does not solely determine that such weather will emerge or a bushfire season will be particularly severe.
“Rather, it is best to view the severity of any bushfire season as one that constantly evolves with changes in local weather and environment,” he says.
A prime example of this is recent months in eastern Australia, where the start of spring was one of the driest on record and multiple fires burnt across parts of NSW and SE QLD.
Through October, there was significant dry thunderstorm activity, and come November much of eastern Australia experienced significant rainfall from several powerful weather systems, including tropical cyclone Jasper and the outbreak of severe thunderstorms over the Christmas period.
A lot of the recent wet weather is in part due to activity in the Southern Ocean which is tracked by an index known as the Southern Annular Mode (SAM).
This index measures the position of the strong westerly winds that blow to the south of the continent.
When the SAM is in its positive phase (as it has been since November) it is closest to Antarctica and allows moist air to blow onshore and promote the development of storms we have been experiencing. Additionally, ocean surface temperatures off eastern Australia are well above average and this has been providing the moisture (fuel) for said storms to develop.
Moving into late summer and early autumn, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts QLD (and eastern states) will continue to experience average conditions, however while the SAM remains positive and ocean waters surrounding the east coast remain warm, more wet weather can be expected.
How likely are more bushfires?
Despite the recent rainfall over much of the state some areas that include central and northwest QLD retain a moderate bushfire risk and are continuing to be monitored.
It is therefore crucial to stay vigilant and well-prepared for the remaining bushfire season.
To stay informed and prepared, Dr Whitley recommends utilising online resources.
The Australian Warning System, part of the Australian Government’s National Emergency Management Agency, can direct to local warning pages for each state or territory.
Queenslanders can monitor the current bushfire situation through the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website and refer to the Seasonal Bushfire Outlook Summer 2023.
A proud partner of Suncorp Group, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) also manage the Get Ready Queensland Program to help communities prepare for severe weather season.
How to prepare your home
There are also key tasks you can do to prepare your home ahead of bushfire season:
Clear Your Gutters
Drying leaves and debris can fuel a fire. Regularly clean leaves from gutters and install quality metal gutter guards.
Backyard Maintenance
Green grass does not burn as easily, with taller and drier grass allowing fire to move quicker and more intensely.
Keep lawns mowed short and remove flammable materials to maintain a tidy and safe backyard.
Flammable Material Storage
Keep woodpiles and other flammable materials at least 10 metres away from the house and covered to avoid them setting the house alight if on fire.
Mesh Screens or Gutter Guards
Consider installing fine metal mesh screens or steel gutter guards to prevent flying embers, a common cause of homes catching ablaze.
Access to Water
Ensure good access to water around your house, preferably with a two-tank system (or a swimming pool if you have one).
Clear Access for Fire Trucks
Maintain clear access for fire trucks to reach your property safely and easily.
Essential Steps For Bushfire Readiness
There are key steps your household can take to be bushfire ready, including:
Having A Contingency Plan And Strong Communication
Ensure everyone in your household knows the contingency plan in case of a bushfire, from how to monitor for alerts to where to go.
Include neighbours in your emergency plan, especially those who are elderly or have special needs.
Designate a contact person outside the affected area for communication – and plan evacuation routes if you need to leave your property and inform someone of your intended destination and when you get there.
Evacuating Pets
Practice evacuating pets to a safe location. Update their tags with current contact information, and prepare an emergency kit for them with food, water, and medication if required.
Emergency Kit
Every household should have an emergency kit ready to go.
Queenslanders can download a free emergency plan from the QRA to ensure you have the necessary supplies in case of evacuation, however it should definitely contain the following:
- Communication: Portable battery radio, torch, and spare batteries for phone and radio.
- Supplies: Water containers, dried or canned food, and a can opener.
- Cooking Equipment: Matches, fuel lamp, portable stove, cooking gear, and eating utensils.
- Medical Supplies: First aid kit and manual.
- Protection Measures: Masking tape for windows and waterproof bags.
- Hard cash for emergencies
You should also have a document folder to take with identification, any important medical information, and your insurance documents.
Check your cover
Finally, make sure your insurance policy is up to date.
Ensure your insurance policy is up to date, that you understand what is covered, including checking the sum insured and coverage for your contents to have peace of mind when it matters most.
Written by Suncorp Insurance and published on realestate.com.au