What is a bush fire?

Bushfires, also called wildfires, are any uncontrolled fires burning in a forest, woodland, scrub or grassland. They are common in Australia due to hot and dry weather and can cause natural disasters.

Bushfires can happen at any time in Australia, though some areas are at higher risk at specific times of the year. It's important to be prepared all year round.

Bushfires may become more frequent and intense in the future due to climate change, putting more people at risk.

Am I at risk of a bushfire?

Bushfire risk is the chance of a fire starting, spreading and causing harm to people, property and infrastructure. If you live, work or travel near bushland, grassland or farmland, you could be at risk of a bushfire.

Even if you aren't close, you could still be in danger because embers from a bushfire can travel many kilometres. Many houses are damaged during a fire because embers travel from fires elsewhere.

It's important to know your level of bushfire risk so you can prepare your property, protect your health and know what to do if a fire starts. Your local council or fire service can tell you if you or your home is at risk of bushfire.

Video provided by The Bureau of Meteorology

How do I prepare for a bushfire?

To prepare for a bushfire, you should:

• make a bushfire survival plan
• prepare your property
• prepare an emergency kit considering the health needs of your family and any other people you care for
• know the fire danger ratings in your area
• stay informed about local conditions

Your local rural fire service has information about preparing for a bushfire on its website. Planning ahead is especially important if you are responsible for other people.

How can I stay informed about bushfires?

Your state or territory fire service will keep you informed about local fire conditions, danger ratings and warnings:

• Australian Capital Territory — ACT Emergency Services Agency
• New South Wales — NSW Rural Fire Service
• Northern Territory — Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS)
• Queensland — Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
• South Australia — South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS)
• Tasmania — Tasmania Fire Service
• Victoria — Country Fire Authority
• Western Australia — Department of Fire and Emergency Services

If there is a bushfire near you:

• tune into your local radio station
• follow TV news or emergency services broadcasts
• look out for emergency text messages on your mobile phone

You can also check your council's website or social media pages.

What health conditions or situations put me more at risk during a bushfire?

You may be at higher risk during a bushfire, if you have a health condition such as:

• Asthma — if smoke is a known trigger for your asthma, use your preventer medicine and make sure you have access to your reliever puffer. Follow your asthma action plan. Visit Asthma Australia for more advice.
• Other lung conditions — if you have a lung condition such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema, smoke can worsen your symptoms. Follow your COPD action plan if you have one and seek medical advice if you have trouble breathing. Visit the Lung Foundation Australia for more advice.
• Heart and cardiovascular conditions — bushfire smoke can get into your bloodstream, contributing to inflammation and the narrowing of blood vessels. This can trigger or worsen existing heart conditions. Read the Heart Foundation factsheet on bushfires and heart health.
• Diabetes — if you have diabetes and are affected by a bushfire, make sure you know where to access your medicine. Work with your doctor or diabetes educator to prepare a diabetes plan for natural disasters and emergencies. Visit the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS) to find your nearest NDSS access point. If you have questions about your diabetes medicines, call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700.

You are more at risk during a bushfire if you:

• have a mental health condition, which may be triggered or worsened
• experience trauma, physical danger or loss of your home or income, which can cause new mental health conditions
• are pregnant
• are an older person
• are a child

If you are at risk and need to go outdoors, wear a 'P2' face mask, available from chemists and hardware stores. Make sure it's fitted correctly, with a tight seal around the mouth and nose. Do not smoke or use candles or incense sticks during a bushfire.

If you or someone in your care has limited mobility, a disability or a medical condition, include these needs when preparing for a bushfire. Make sure to leave early if there is a high fire danger, so you have plenty of time to get out safely. Use the Bushfires: Preparing to leave early plan.

Ask yourself these questions when making your bushfire safety plan:

• Does my emergency kit include all relevant prescriptions and medicine lists?
• Do I need to take medicines or special equipment with me when I leave?
• What will I do with my medicines if they need to be refrigerated (e.g. insulin)?
• Will the place I plan to go to have the resources I need?

How do I get a prescription or medicines in an emergency?

If you leave without your prescriptions or medicines, or if they are lost, try one of these options:

• Contact your local pharmacy — they may call your doctor for a verbal prescription.
• Ask your doctor for an eScript (electronic prescription).
• Use a telehealth service or visit a virtual care clinic.

Keep your doctor's information handy for these situations. If your doctor or medical centre doesn't offer telehealth consultations, use the healthdirect Service Finder to find a provider. You can also visit a virtual care clinic for illnesses or injuries that are urgent but not life-threatening.

How can bushfire smoke affect your health?

Bushfire smoke can cause a range of problems, including:

• shortness of breath
• headache
• cough or wheezing
• chest pain or tightness
• mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression

Many of these problems can be serious. If you have any symptoms, speak to your doctor. If your symptoms are severe or getting worse, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

How can I manage my health during a heatwave?

Tips to manage your health and stay cool during hot weather:

• Drink fluids and stay hydrated.
• Take cool showers or apply cool damp towels to your skin.
• Check the forecast in your area on the Bureau of Meteorology website.
• Don’t do any intense outdoor activity.
• Spend time indoors with the windows and doors closed, preferably using air conditioning.
• If you don’t have air conditioning at home, spend time in places like public libraries or shopping centres.
• Your mental health is important, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need support.

If in doubt, speak with your doctor.

Read more on hot weather risks and staying cool and how to handle a heatwave.

Resources and support

These services provide advice and support to people affected by bushfires:

• Australian Government Disaster Assist.
• Services Australia — payments and help for people directly affected by bushfires, floods or other natural disasters.
• Lifeline — call 13 11 14 for anyone experiencing emotional distress.
• NSW Reconstruction Authority — help with disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery.
• Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Services — toolkit and Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP).
• Bushfire smoke and your health — Victorian Department of Health.

Resources and support after a fire:

If you have experienced a bushfire and need support following a crisis, there are resources that can help:

• Returning home safely after a fire — Victorian Department of Health.
• After a fire: cleaning up a smoke-affected home — Victorian Department of Health.
• After a fire: private drinking water and water tank safety — Victorian Department of Health.
• Help for you and your family after disaster — Transcultural Mental Health Centre.
• Advice for returning home after a bushfire and coping after a crisis — Australian Red Cross.
• Beyond Blue provides resources for mental health and bushfire support.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

• Call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 for information in your language.
• Find bushfire safety information in languages other than English through the NSW Rural Fire Service.
• Health Translations Victoria offers general fire safety information in various community languages.
• The Fire Danger Ratings Fact Sheet has been translated into many languages.
• If you have diabetes, the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) has a diabetes plan for natural disasters and emergencies available in other languages.