What precautions do people take to prevent a bushfire?

Answer 1

Most fire fighting authorities produce some sort of literature that focus on fire prevention, at home, at work, on the farm, in the bush. A lot of it is focussed at children.

People living in bush fire prone areas are specifically targetted and are encouraged to keep vegetation like grass away from their homes, avoid trees overhanging the house or being anywhere near the house, keep the gutters clear of dead leaves, be prepared during the summer months, and to have an evacuation plan.

Farmers would be encouraged to do all of the same things and plough fire breaks.

There are several government departments responsible for land management and performing fuel reduction burning off.

As part of the fallout from the Ash Wednesday bushfires and the ensuing Royal Commission and Inquiry, a great many laws were changed and others introduced to force municipal councils and home owners to take more responsibility for their own protection in the event of bushfires.

The Country Fire Authority of Victoria is a great advocate of fire prevention and a visit to their site could be helpful (refer to the link below).

A:The most important things you can do are to take care with any kind of fire you use. If you're camping or grilling in an area with a high risk for fire, keep your fire small, do not leave it unattended, and extinguish it completely when you are done with it. Many roadside fires are started by careless smokers flicking lit cigarettes out their windows; either don't smoke or use the ash tray inside your car (good policies even if you aren't just trying to prevent bushfires).

Answer 2

Some bushfires cannot be stopped. Their intensity is so great that time is required for them to burn themselves out, and this can take weeks.

Smaller bushfires are stopped by a combination of back-burning and heavy dousing with water.

The best thing is to do what one can to minimise the effects of bushfires on one's property.

See the related question.

Answer 3

Bushfires can be controlled and minimised by the following actions: * Conducting council-approved, controlled burnoffs prior to the bushfire season. This reduces how much fuel there is for a bushfire. * Ensuring adequate fire-breaks are in place in bushfire-prone areas. * Take extra care during bushfire season by having campfires only in open, sandy areas, and ensure they are completely doused and covered with sand or dirt after they are no longer required. * Avoid flicking cigarettes out of car windows when driving.

Answer 4

Clean your area, rake leaves off the ground, clean out roof gutters etc.

Further information:

Bushfires cannot be prevented, as many are started by lightning strikes. However, their effects can be minimised.

People living in bush fire prone areas are encouraged to keep vegetation like grass away from their homes, avoid trees overhanging the house or being anywhere near the house, keep the gutters clear of dead leaves, be prepared during the summer months, and to have an evacuation plan. Farmers are encouraged to plough fire breaks.

There are several government departments responsible for land management and performing fuel reduction burning off.

As part of the fallout from the Ash Wednesday bushfires and the ensuing Royal Commission and Inquiry, a great many laws were changed and others introduced to force municipal councils and home owners to take more responsibility for their own protection in the event of bushfires.

Answer 5

Listen to Smokey's advice.