TRANSCRIPT:
The first days of summer have been marked by brutal heat and devastating fires for some communities in Geraldton, on the New South Wales central coast and in Tasmania's Dolphin Sands.
It's cruel timing for the dozens of families who have lost their homes and property, as many prepare for Christmas and wind down before a summer break.
Researchers like Doctor Jim McLennan - a Bushfire Safety Researcher and Adjunct Professor at Latrobe University School of Public Health and Psychology - are warning people to stay vigilant when it comes to fire safety, even in holiday mode.
“Psychologically, that is a good way to think of it. And what that then unpacks into is a feeling that everything is right in the world, we're here to enjoy ourselves and we don't want to really get caught up in the mundane and the humdrum and all those sorts of things that we've left behind."
'Holiday mode' is a potentially dangerous attitude if you've not prepared a bushfire action plan.
And this year, fire safety experts like Andrew Gissing, the CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia, say if you live in or visit a place that is not usually under threat, it might be this year.
"With climate change, we are going to see more frequent extremes and we are going to see extremes that we haven't necessarily experienced before. And that is a big challenge for communities and also for emergency authorities to understand these extremes and communicate to people about them. Because, some people will face natural hazards this summer potentially and in coming years, that they've never really conceived before happening in their local areas."
40 per cent of the homes affected by fires in the Black Summer bushfire season in New South Wales in 2019 and 2020 were within a metre of the bush.
Australians who live near bushland are most likely well-versed in how to prepare for fire.
They need to know the roads in and out, monitor conditions on radio and online, clear the gutters of debris and remove any flammable items outside - even welcome mats.
Depending on the state or territory, the country fire service or rural fire service websites are a great resource for tips to stay safe at home and away - and there are many more on the list.
But what about when holidaying in a new area, as many will be in the coming weeks and months?
Professor Kirsten Ross is from the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University.
She says people need a Bushfire action plan for the place they're visiting, which presents new challenges.
"Think about things like, what's the predicted weather? Is it likely to be an extreme or catastrophic fire danger day? And if that's the case, what are your plans for those days, particularly if you're on the move? So, where are the safe places, remembering that you might not have phone or internet access through some of these places. So, thinking about packing a portable radio with batteries, remembering that cars are not inherently safe."
She says knowing the area and the surroundings is crucial.
You won't necessarily need to leave a place - and in some cases, might not be able to.
In those instances, you can prepare by stocking up on alternatives to power if you lose electricity, ensuring you have enough food and water for a few days and that you monitor advice and emergency alerts on local radio and online.
If you're at a resort or hotel, ask for information about the venue's plan and for information about the local area.
Professor Ross says one of the most important things we can do to stay safe is communicate.
She wants everyone to write down their bushfire action plan - and share it with the people in their life.
"It's really important that you discuss these things with your family, so that everybody knows what everybody else's plans are. It's also really important to consider pets. So, pets aren't necessarily the thing that is foremost on everybody's mind, but people get into trouble going back to get pets. So, think about when you're travelling with your pets, how they're going to be managed in your bushfire action plan."
And Doctor McLennan believes the most important outcome of that conversation and plan, should be a consensus on when to evacuate.
He says the clearest way to make a call, is to decide the trigger for leaving ahead of time.
It could be a report on the radio, the first sign of smoke or something else.
"It might be information that the fire is at such and such a place, something like that. So the actual trigger that you're going to decide on really depends on your family make-up. Do you have an elderly family member? Do you have pets? Those sorts of things. Your local geography, where you actually live, where the vegetation is that is going to catch fire and generate the embers."
You may not be in the path of a fire, but smoke inhalation and high heat present also present potential risks to health.
State and Territory health authorities all advise that in high heat, you stay well hydrated by drinking lots of water, keep to the shade if you're outside and minimise time in the sun.
Take special care with little ones, elderly or immunocompromised people - who can become more quickly unwell in extreme conditions - and look out for your pets.
Andrew Gissing wants to remind everyone that storms are also important to consider.
"Particularly over the coming months, people out camping, right? So, avoid, make sure you know where you're camping and whether or not you're camping next to a stream with that flash flooding risk, severe wind risk about trees falling around camp sites. Just be aware about where you're camping."
It may be the last thing on your to-do list in the busy end of year period, but the experts agree - having a plan for extreme weather could be the most important.
