Bushfire season home preparation checklist
Property maintenance that reduces ember and bushfire risk — gutters, vegetation, gaps, water supply — plus where to find your state's bushfire plan.
Key takeaways
- Embers cause most house losses, so gaps, gutters and leaf litter matter most.
- Your survival plan comes from your state fire service — property work supports it, it does not replace it.
- Know the Australian Fire Danger Rating levels and what each means for you.
Understand the risk
Bushfire season timing varies across Australia — winter and spring in the north, summer and autumn in the south. Most homes lost in bushfires are ignited by embers, sometimes long after the fire front passes. Maintenance that removes fuel and closes gaps reduces that risk.
Clear fuel around the home
Focus on the area closest to the house first:
- Clear leaves and debris from gutters, roofs and valleys
- Mow grass and remove leaf litter, bark and dead plants near walls
- Prune branches overhanging the roof and keep shrubs away from windows
- Move woodpiles, mulch, fuel and outdoor furniture away from the house
- Remove rubbish and garden waste rather than storing it on site
Close the gaps
Embers enter through small openings. Fit or repair ember guards and fine mesh on vents and windows, seal gaps under roof tiles and around eaves, and check weather seals on doors. Gutter guards can help, but they still need cleaning.
Check water and equipment
Make sure hoses reach every side of the house, taps and fittings work, and any pumps, tanks or sprinkler systems have been tested. Pumps that rely on mains power may fail during a fire.
Make your plan
Download your state or territory fire service's bushfire survival plan, decide your trigger to leave, and follow the Australian Fire Danger Rating System — Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic. On Catastrophic days, leaving early is the safest option in high-risk areas.
Book the heavy work early
Tree removal, high-roof gutter cleaning and rubbish removal get busy as the season starts. Arrange them early with suitable Fixers so the property is ready before fire danger rises.
General information only, reviewed for Australian conditions. Rules differ between states and territories and change over time, so confirm details with the relevant regulator. Call 000 in an emergency. Editorial policy
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