HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT IND 186 November 2025 | Page 34

LIVING ON THE LAND

Bush fire preparedness- a step by step guide

Living in the Hawkesbury means loving bushland, and respecting its risks. Here’ s a simple, practical checklist to get you and your household ready before hot, windy days arrive. 1. Make your bush fire survival plan( 5 – 10 mins)
Decide now if you’ ll leave early or stay and defend under safe conditions. Agree on triggers( for example,“ Extreme” or“ Catastrophic” fire danger), who does what, where you’ ll go( friends, evacuation centre), and how you’ ll get there from suburbs like Kurrajong, Bilpin, Colo, Wilberforce, Richmond, Windsor and North Richmond. Print a copy and put it on the fridge. 2. Stay informed, reliably
Install the Hazards Near Me NSW app and set watch zones for home, work, school and ageing relatives. Turn on notifications. Also bookmark the NSW RFS“ Fires Near Me” webpage and follow NSW RFS on social media for official updates. www. nsw. gov. au / emergency / hazardsnear-me-app? utm _ source = chatgpt. com 3. Prepare your property
• Clear leaves from gutters, roofs and around the house.
• Remove flammable items( doormats, outdoor cushions, wood piles) from verandas.
• Keep lawns short and trim vegetation touching windows or eaves.
• Fit metal flyscreens where possible.
• Ensure hoses reach all sides of the house and attach metal spray
nozzles; check water tanks, pumps and sprinklers. Hawkesbury has extensive bushland interfaces, treat your immediate surroundings( the“ home ignition zone”) as your priority. www. rfs. nsw. gov. au / plan-and-prepare / managing-bushfire-risk / bush-fire-managementcommittees / hawkesbury? utm _ source = chatgpt. com
4. Assemble a‘ grab and go’ kit
Have it ready by the door: long-sleeved natural-fibre clothing, sturdy shoes, P2 masks, goggles, gloves, woollen blanket, first-aid kit, medications and prescriptions, phone power bank, torch, portable radio, copies of IDs / insurance, USB of vital files, snacks and water( at least 10L per person if staying). Include pet leads, carriers and food. 5. Back-up power and comms
Charge devices early on hot / windy days. Keep a car charger and spare batteries for radios and torches. Know where your manual garage release is. Note key contacts on paper: neighbours, school, work, 000, local RFS brigade. 6. Plan for animals and access
Pre-arrange refuge paddocks with minimal fuel, water and shade for livestock; practise loading floats. Keep driveways and property entrances clear and signposted to help appliances access.( Council and the RFS coordinate hazard-reduction and readiness, but your property prep is crucial.) https:// www. hawkesbury. nsw. gov. au / your-spaces / bushland-management
7. On severe days act early
Dress for ember attack, move cars to a clear area facing out, block gutters with metal guards or fill with water, close doors / windows / vents and curtains, keep ladders / hose ready, and keep checking official advice. If your trigger is reached, leave early along your planned route don’ t wait.
8. After a fire threat Check for spot fires in and under structures, in mulch and roof spaces for hours after the front passes. Photograph damage for insurance and look out for neighbours who may need help.
If in doubt, choose the safest option: leave early. Your life and your loved ones come first.

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Firefighting authorities are warning that Australia could be facing an early and intense bushfire season. With warmer than average forecasts and winter rain producing increased fuel for bushfires, early preparation is vital.
Professor David Bowman, a leading Australian Fire and Pyrogeography scientist, says,“ People are still in a daze after winter and can’ t imagine that fires could be unseasonal and early.”
We can all be grateful for the services of the volunteer Brigades. They do a brilliant job and give up their time to train and act when called on, but they can’ t be everywhere at once.
You can get your property bushfire ready with Aussie Pumps free Bushfire Survival Guide. The guide is loaded with invaluable information to help you make informed choices and be prepared with a bushfire plan.
Aussie’ s Guide covers the basics of preparing a home or property regardless of whether you intend to stay or leave. It also assists with fire pump selection, hose kits, setting up sprinkler systems, and routine maintenance to keep gear primed and ready for an emergency.
A quality firefighting pump and adequate water source are key to setting up a protection system. Aussie’ s Fire Chief range are designed and built for Australia. All Aussie Quik Prime pumps are backed with a 5-year pump end warranty. That demonstrates the company’ s confidence in the long-term reliability and performance of their products. It’ s capability that counts.
Unfortunately, not all pumps are designed to deliver top performance, and second rate gear can risk property, pets, stock, and even lives.
When buying a pump, ask lots of questions, do your research and choose a quality pump, based on performance, features and value. Check out the Aussie Pumps website for more information.
The Aussie Bushfire Survival Guide is free and is available from Aussie Pumps directly or through your local Aussie Gold Distributor.
For further information, visit aussiepumps. com. au or give Aussie a call on 8865 3500.
Ginger Soames from Arcadia is‘ fire ready’.
34 ISSUE 186 // NOVEMBER 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT