- Choose the closest option for each question.
- Tick boxes that need work (gaps, fuels, access, water).
- Your live score updates as you go; submit for your final band.
Before you begin (2–3 mins):
- Walk around your home’s first 10–20 m (30–60 ft) zone.
- Note obvious fuel loads (dry grass, bark, timber stacks).
- Check for gaps (eaves, under doors, vents) where embers enter.
Quick walkthrough before you start.
What you’ll hear:
- How to do a fast walk-around and what to look for.
- Common ember pathways (gaps, vents, under-door clearances).
- Quick wins: mesh vents, gutter clean, tidy fuels.
- How the banding works and what it means.
- LLow — 0–10
- MMedium — 11–20
- HHigh — 21–30
- EExtreme — 31+
Focus on the first 10–20 m / 30–60 ft, block ember paths (seal gaps, mesh vents), keep access and water ready.
Wildfire/Bushfire Risk Self-Assessment (Basic)
A plain-English check you can do yourself. Your live score updates as you go.
© 2025 Wildfire/Bushfire Risk Self-Assessment (Basic). Always follow local fire authority advice.
Bushfire Risk Self-Assessment: Wildfire Risk Checklist (Basic)
Use this practical bushfire risk self-assessment and wildfire risk checklist to spot hazards at home or work, prioritise quick fixes, and prepare for high-risk days. It’s designed for Australians and useful to both the public and emergency workers.
Heat & Fire Danger
Check Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Ban rules each morning. Re-plan work, burn-offs, and travel when the rating is High or above.
Smoke & Air Quality
Close windows early, switch air-con to recirculate, and use a HEPA purifier. Masks (P2/N95) help for outdoor tasks in smoke.
Storms & Flooding
Thunderstorms after heatwaves can bring flash flooding. Keep drains clear, avoid flooded roads, and secure loose outdoor items.
Prevention — Bushfire Risk Self-Assessment at Home
Prevention starts by reducing the fuels and entry points that make properties vulnerable. A simple bushfire risk self-assessment done every change of season keeps hazards visible. Walk the first 10–20 metres around buildings and ask: what can catch, what can carry embers, and where can flames reach?
- Maintain a low-fuel zone: mow grass to <10 cm, rake bark, move woodpiles 10 m away.
- Prune lower tree branches to create a 2 m ladder-fuel break; separate shrubs from windows.
- Fit metal leaf guards or regular gutter clean; divert downpipes to sealed tanks.
- Close ember pathways: 2 mm steel mesh on vents; weather strips on doors; ember-rated screens.
- Store LPG cylinders upright with relief valves facing away from the house; keep 1 m clearance.
- Reduce ignition sources: no angle-grinding on hot, windy days; secure trailer chains; use spark arrestors.
Record photos before and after each tidy-up. Visual proof helps motivate regular maintenance and informs insurance and council queries.
Preparedness — Build Your Wildfire Risk Checklist
Preparedness turns good intentions into simple, repeatable actions. Use this wildfire risk checklist to prepare people, property, and tools for bad days.
People & plans
- Decide: stay and defend (if advised) or leave early to a safer place.
- Nominate who checks gutters, who packs, who monitors warnings.
- Prepare a printed leave-early route with two backups.
- Share the plan with neighbours; exchange numbers.
Property & utilities
- Identify defendable space; mark hydrants, hoses, pumps.
- Know how to isolate gas/electricity; label switches.
- Keep ladders, rakes, and mops in one easy-grab location.
- Back up essentials to a USB or cloud in a go-bag.
Go-bags & kits
- Documents, medications, chargers, cash, IDs.
- P2/N95 masks, safety goggles, sturdy boots, cotton clothing.
- Water (at least 10 L per person if staying), snacks, pet leads.
- Battery radio, spare batteries, power bank.
Preparedness in 5 minutes
- Check today’s rating and wind on your phone.
- Move mats, chairs, and woodstacks off the deck.
- Close windows; set air-con to recirculate.
- Place hoses, buckets, and mop at ready-points.
- Message neighbours: “We’re prepared; you good?”
Emergency contacts (AU)
SES 132 500
Poisons 13 11 26
Lifeline 13 11 14
Local council
Energy provider outages
Response — What to do on high-risk and warning days
On Severe or higher days, act early. Wear cotton long sleeves and pants, boots, hat, eye protection, and P2 mask if smoky. Keep phones charged and vehicles facing out.
- Monitor warnings on official apps and local ABC radio. Don’t rely on a single source.
- Close up: shutters down, curtains closed, doors latched, pet crates ready.
- Wet vulnerable areas (doormats, decks) sparingly; conserve water for ember attack.
- If leaving early, go now. Avoid bush roads, smoke plumes, and bridges near heavy fuels.
- During ember attack: extinguish spot fires with water, mops, spray bottles; check roof space if safe.
- Protect breathing: move to the part of the building farthest from the fire front; keep exits clear.
Recovery — First 48 hours after impact
Safety comes first. Treat every fallen line as live. Beware of trees weakened by fire. Photograph damage before clean-up. If you left, return only when authorities say it’s safe.
- Check neighbours; look after vulnerable people, pets, and livestock.
- Assess utilities: turn gas and power back on only when safe and inspected.
- Manage ash: wear P2 mask and gloves; wet down before disturbance.
- Contact insurers early; store receipts for urgent repairs and accommodation.
- Debrief as a family or team: what worked, what failed, what to fix this week.
How it works — The science behind property risk
Most property loss occurs when embers and radiant heat combine. Embers travel kilometres ahead of the front, lodging in dry fuels or gaps. Radiant heat preheats materials so they ignite more easily. Your self-assessment reduces both: lower fuels to disrupt ember ignition and close gaps to stop ember entry. Metal mesh and clean gutters are small changes with outsized effects.
Slope matters. Fire spreads faster uphill as flames tilt closer to fuels. A steep downslope below a house increases exposure; add extra clearance and non-combustible paths. Wind aligns flames and carries embers; windy days magnify all risks. Simple design choices like sealed eaves, toughened glass, and non-combustible decks reduce failure points.
Water supply should be independent. Gravity or pump-fed tanks with steel fittings, a portable firefighting pump, and hoses with spray nozzles provide resilience if mains pressure fails.
Power your plan when the grid fails
Portable generators and 12 V gear for fridges, pumps, radios, and lights on high-risk days.
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Roles & coordination — Working the same plan
Good outcomes depend on shared situational awareness. The Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System (AIIMS) aligns agencies using clear functions: Control, Planning, Operations, and Logistics. Households and businesses plug in by following official warnings and preparing tidy, labelled sites that support responder safety.
- Police: traffic management, evacuations, roadblocks, missing persons.
- Fire services: control of bushfire operations, asset protection, mop-up.
- Ambulance/health: triage, smoke-related illness, transfers.
- SES: storm/flood impacts, trees down, temporary repairs.
- Council & utilities: local facilities, waste, roads, power/gas restoration.
For crew leaders
Confirm LOTO on utilities before operations, set a simple radio plan (primary/backup), and brief on trigger points to withdraw. Map staging areas so residents and traffic don’t block access.
Equipment & tools — Practical kits for home, work, and responders
Households
- Garden hoses with spray nozzles, tap keys, buckets, mop.
- Metal rakes, shovel, ladder, tarps, basic tool kit.
- Portable pump with suction hose to tank or pool if staying.
- P2 masks, goggles, leather gloves, cotton clothing.
Small businesses
- Site map with utility shutoffs; labelled keys and permits.
- Backup power for critical systems; surge protection.
- Fire extinguishers (ABE), hose reels, warden kits, hi-vis.
- Communication spares: radios, chargers, spare batteries.
Responders
- Maps/GPX files with water points and safety zones.
- Thermal imaging for hotspots; drip torches for edge work.
- First-aid/rehab kit: hydration, shade, cooling towels.
- Rapid damage assessment forms for early recovery.
Prep your rig for evacuations
12 V fridges, solar, and camping gear to keep families comfortable on high-risk days or longer trips.
Field scenarios — Short case studies
1) Ember storm in a coastal town
A late-afternoon change produced strong westerlies and ember attack. Two timber homes ignited via deck furniture and door mats. Neighbours with clear decks and hose lines extinguished multiple spot fires. Lesson: deck clutter is a frequent ignition pathway—store mats and furniture on high-risk days.
2) Business park on a grassfire edge
A metal-fabrication business had labelled gas shutoffs and a tidy perimeter. Responders used the site as a staging area, preventing spread to the warehouse row. Lesson: clear access, maps, and fuel separation let fire crews defend multiple assets at once.
3) Rural property with steep downslope
A small fire ran uphill rapidly. The house had extra clearance below the deck and non-combustible stairs. Heat damaged paintwork but no structural loss. Lesson: slope multiplies risk—treat downslope like a hazard amplifier and extend clearances.
Checklists — Quick wins for today
Household
- Move doormats and furniture off decks.
- Close windows, doors, and shutters.
- Mesh vents and clear gutters.
- Lay out hoses, buckets, mops at corners.
- Print and pack leave-early route.
Business
- Label utility shutoffs; test them.
- Back up computers; pack essential paperwork.
- Tidy perimeter; remove pallets from walls.
- Brief staff on evacuation and roll calls.
- Stage extinguishers and first-aid kits.
Responders
- Check comms plan; confirm backups.
- Mark safety zones and escape routes.
- Note wind shifts and slope hazards.
- Hydration and rest cycles locked in.
- Rapid damage assessment forms ready.
Accessibility & inclusion — Plans for everyone
Good plans include people with disability, older adults, children, and pets. Keep instructions simple, with large-print copies, icons, and pre-packed aids.
- Mobility: ramps clear, spare wheelchair batteries, manual options if lifts fail.
- Sensory: vibrating/visual alerts, written steps, quiet space for recovery.
- Language: multilingual handouts or pictograms; community helper list.
- Children: role-play drills; buddy system; comfort items in go-bag.
- Animals: carriers, leads, water trays, ID tags, vaccination records.
FAQs
How often should I repeat the self-assessment?
Do it at the start of each season and after major wind events. Take quick photos to track progress.
Is staying to defend ever safe?
Only if your plan, property, health, water, gear, and skills meet official advice. Many households should leave early on Severe+ days.
What about apartment dwellers?
Focus on building alerts, evacuation routes, stairwells, and smoke pathways. Keep balconies clear and follow building management plans.
Do water tanks replace mains?
They add resilience but need the right fittings and a reliable pump. Gravity-feed or a generator can help during outages.
How do I manage smoke at work?
Create a smoke policy: air-con on recirculate, HEPA purifiers, task rotation, and masks for outdoor tasks. Protect those with asthma.
What if roads are closed?
Have two backup routes and a local shelter/destination. Tune to local radio and follow police directions at roadblocks.
Links & hotlines — Official sources
- VicEmergency — warnings, maps, and advice.
- State Emergency Service (SES) — storm and flood help.
- Bureau of Meteorology — forecasts, wind, and fire weather.
- NSW RFS — advice and maps for NSW residents.
- CFA — community safety and planning tools.
- ABC Local Radio — emergency broadcaster.
Credits & review notes
Author: Fire & Emergency Educator (Australia). Peer review: Operations Officer (wildfire), Paramedic Educator, Municipal Emergency Manager. Technical review dates: 10 June 2025; 18 August 2025.
Thanks to community brigades and councils who contributed local examples and feedback.
Emergency education — not official advice. Always check local warnings and follow directions from authorities.
Training helps—join your local brigade/unit.
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