A bushfire, also known as a wildfire, is a destructive and uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly through vegetation in forests, grasslands, or bush areas, often driven by dry conditions, high temperatures, and strong winds, posing significant risks to both human and natural environments.
The Huon Valley has a long history of bushfires. The first recorded major fire that impacted on the Huon Valley was in 1897. Six people lost their lives and dozens of homes were destroyed.
The most devastating fire was on 7 February 1967, when fires swept through the south and other parts of Tasmania claiming 62 lives and destroying more than 1,300 homes and 128 major structures.
While there have been many improvements in fire mitigation and response bushfire remains the most likely natural disaster to occur within the Huon Valley.
What is a bushfire?
Bushfires occur when both managed and unmanaged areas of vegetation ignite and burn through reserves, national parks, private property and urban corridors. Bushfires are most likely to occur when the weather is very hot and dry.
The higher the temperature and the lower the relative humidity, the more likely it is that a bushfire may start or continue to burn. They can be caused by human activity – either accidental or deliberate, or by natural causes such as lightning strikes.
Bushfires can cause serious property and infrastructure damage, injuries and loss of life.
The fire itself is only one element of the danger. Other impacts from bushfires include the effects of radiant heat and smoke.
- Fire embers can spread many kilometres from the location of a large bushfire, causing smaller spot fires to break out.
- Radiant heat can be felt more than 100m away from a large bushfire and has the potential to melt or fracture objects including parts of cars and glass windows.
- Toxic fumes and heavy smoke produced from bushfires can impair vision and impact air quality and cause difficulties in breathing.
- Smoke can also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke and reduces diabetes control.
To find out more about bush fire weather visit Fire Weather Knowledge Centre.
Understand your risk
People living in bushland or in rural residential areas are generally at higher risk of fire than those living in urban areas.
To assess the risk and potential severity of bushfire in your area, visit the TasALERT website and enter your home or business address: Risk Ready – TasALERT
For information about community protection plans and creating a bushfire protection plan for your own property or business, visit Tasmania Fire Service – Bushfire Survival Plan
For information on Smoke visit: Bushfire Smoke and Your Health | Tasmanian Department of Health
You can also do a review of your property for bushfire resilience using the Resilience Ratings app. The app enables you to assess your site-specific risk and take action to improve your bushfire resilience. RBC: Bushfire Resilience Assessment Check the Southern Bushfire Risk Management Plan to help you understand the areas of high bushfire risk in the Huon Valley.
Are you ready for this bushfire season?
Are you ready for this bushfire season? This fire fighter has tips on how to get prepared – ABC News