Bushfire info on what to do

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Dot
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Bushfire info on what to do

Post by Dot »

Although data states that 2/3 of Black Saturday fatalities died while sheltering in or near their house, research by bushfire scientists revealed that they did not die BECAUSE they were sheltering. They died because they did not know how to shelter safely.
SO WHEN THE BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY MESSAGE IS “It I s too Late to Leave, You Should Take Shelter and Stay Indoors” - WHAT SHOULD YOU ACTUALLY DO?
IF YOU CANNOT SHELTER IN A BUILDING
* Shelter behind a wall; beside a large fire resistant tree (that has no flammable undergrowth); in nor beside a car; in a dam (if no vegetation is near either), in a ditch, (cover yourself with earth or blanket); crouch beneath a blankets (must be PURE WOOL) on bare ground or an already burnt area.
IF YOU CAN SHELTER IN A BUILDING
Before you go inside:
* Shut off gas and electricity at the mains.
* Put pets inside: dogs on leash, cats in covered cages.
* Take in outdoor furniture, doormats, hanging baskets, plastic pot plants.
When you are inside:
* Make sure all doors and windows are securely shut.
* Turn off air conditioners; cover their internal vents.
* If windows are unshuttered, cover with blankets (must be PURE WOOL), heavy quality quilts, foil or wet towels.
*Move flammable furniture away from windows.
* Close internal doors to limit fire spread if embers enter and ignite inside.
* Put on protective clothing and nose mask and drink often.
* Keep blankets (must be PURE WOOL) handy.
* Cool off when possible.
* Watch the conditions outside if possible through a small window or peephole. Do not open a door or window to look outside.
* When you are sure flaring shrubs have blackened, it’s safe to go out again. (Burning tree trunks do not generally emit killing radiant heat.)
PASSIVE SHELTERERS
* DO NOT SHELTER IN AN INNER ROOM. Not in the hallway. Not in the bath. If you shelter in ANY kind of inner room – no matter how many doors it has – you could be trapped. Embers may have ignited sub-floor or wall cavities or rafters in the ceiling space,. Flaming walls or ceiling could collapse on you. Toxic fumes from smouldering furnishings, synthetic furniture or wall linings could overcome you.
* STAY BY A DOOR THAT EXITS TO OUTSIDE in protective clothing and with blankets (must be PURE WOOL).
* It is vital for passive shelterers to exit as soon as the potentially killing radiant heat from fames has died down.
ACTIVE SHELTERERS
* Take hose, sprayers and ladder inside with you.
* Fill bath & troughs with water, immerse towels, roll up and place at door gaps and window ledges. Plug keyholes with play dough, blue-tack or soap.
* Fill containers (e.g. garden sprayers) with water; put these, with dippers, mops etc, in each room.
* Watch for invading embers. Particularly in the ceiling space, through windows, gaps under doors. Spray or hit with wet mop any sparks, embers or smouldering furnishings.
* If any ignition cannot be extinguished, close the door of that room.
* Maintain easy access to an exit door.
* Never go outside during a flame front to douse an outside ignition.
EXITING
* Exit with great care, preferably from a door that is sheltered from the wind.
* Wear protective clothing & nose cover, cover yourself with your blanket (must be PURE WOOL), crouch, lower your eyelids and open the door gradually.
The quintessential bushfire survival resource is a
HEAVY DUTY PURE WOOL BLANKET.
Covered with their blanket and with a flask of water
people have withstood the most catastrophic conditions.
Extracted from my Essential Bushfire Safety Tips (CSIRO 2012), www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6969.htm
(If you can't afford to buy - most libraries have it.)
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Busman
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Re: Bushfire info on what to do

Post by Busman »

Good advice for people in Townsville tonight !
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supersparky
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Re: Bushfire info on what to do

Post by supersparky »

Probably not, But certainly for those in Vic, Tas and SA.over the past few days, and probably into the next week by the look of it.
The poor buggers up north have an entirely different issue to deal with.
Cheers
David

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TassyJim
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Re: Bushfire info on what to do

Post by TassyJim »

Somethings missing from the otherwise good advice.
You cannot rely on town water to be available.
You cannot rely on mains power to run your own water pumps.

A lot of residents in the south of Tassie were complaining when their water went off last week.

I hold at least 25000 litres for fire fighting.
Have a petrol driven fire pump.
Have generator to run the domestic water pumps for sprinklers.
I also have clear driveway as my last resort safe(ish) place.
I still plan to leave early.
fire_plumes030219.png
The two plumes of smoke can be easily seen from fires south of Smithton. WE has a few hours of heaavy amoke in Burnie but nothing like the people down south.

Jim
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homeless
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Re: Bushfire info on what to do

Post by homeless »

Was involved after the 2009 fires in Vic. Saw some horrible sights and heard some terrible stories. Watched the show last night on the 10 year anniversary and I knew some of the people interviewed.
Saw many cases where people should have got out and did not. Saw houses that were beckoning to be burnt and just lucky the fire missed them. Often houses would be spared for no reason when all their neighbours were burnt out. Saw play houses and dog kennels spared when the house and outbuildings were all gone. People were killed by trying to run and their houses were not touched.
Many of the deaths from Maryville were because the police directed drivers up a road and they became trapped and all died.
Most people after the fire were trying to bury containers as fire refuges, and saw and head of some real ingenious refuges. Biggest problem was the councils as they would not recognise them. Had one farmer registered his refuge as the house and the house as the refuge to get past the council.
If in a fire area and you want to try and save your house and you have water storage make sure it is covered to stop the helicopters sucking you dry to save people further up and then you are no longer protected.
Dont jump into a tank or bath as I worked at a place where the family were boiled alive.
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Greynomad
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Re: Bushfire info on what to do

Post by Greynomad »

Friend had a weekender in the bush near Mansfield (I think — anyway, where the fire was at its worst) son & his girlfriend went up to check if it was OK... a fatal decision. Both died sheltering in the bathroom. Had time to phone both mum & dad to say farewell as the fire engulfed the house.
Gut wrenching. Took mum six months to face returning to work.
Regards & God bless,
Ray
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