Bushfire in Victoria: Bushfire Safety Strategies

Why Are Bushfires Happening in Victoria? 

Due to its climatic conditions, Victoria is more prone to bushfires during specific periods. In December 2024, a large-scale bushfire swept across western Victoria. As of Monday morning, December 23, the fire in the Grampians National Park had burned more than 41,000 hectares of land, accounting for more than 20% of the park area, forcing several towns to evacuate.

Victoria is preparing for the most dangerous fire conditions since the black summer of 2019-20.

The frequent bushfires in Victoria have caused significant damage to this beautiful land. Bushfires are often the result of a combination of factors. The following will analyse the leading causes of bushfires in Victoria in detail.

In most cases, bushfires in Victoria are often caused by natural factors.

Climate Factors: Natural phenomena such as high temperatures, strong winds, and lightning often cause bushfires in Victoria, which is hot and dry in summer.

First, high-temperature weather accelerates the evaporation of moisture in vegetation and makes grass and trees extremely dry and flammable. Second, Victoria is often affected by strong winds. Strong winds can spread fires quickly and carry sparks to faraway places, causing new fire sources. Finally, thunderstorms frequently occur in Victoria in summer. When lightning strikes dry vegetation, it is very easy to cause fires.

Geographical Conditions: Victoria has a complex and diverse terrain (large areas of mountains and hills), which not only increases the difficulty of firefighting but also easily forms local wind direction changes and airflow acceleration, further fueling the fire. In addition, Victoria has a large area of eucalyptus forests. Eucalyptus is a plant rich in oil, and its leaves and bark are straightforward to burn under dry conditions.

Although natural factors cause most bushfires, human factors are also a cause that cannot be ignored.

Improper Use of Fire: Another major human factor is the inappropriate use of fire by tourists and residents. During activities such as picnics and camping, if tourists fail to extinguish campfires or throw cigarette butts randomly wholly, they may cause fires.

Agricultural Production Activities: Victoria is an important agricultural area in Australia. Farmers often carry out operations such as burning during agrarian production. If the time and method of burning are not appropriate, fires can quickly occur.

Power Facility Failure: With climate change, extreme weather events are frequent, and strong winds and lightning often damage power lines and cause fires.

(Data Source: Wikipedia)

In summary, the bushfires in Victoria are the result of a combination of natural and human factors.

What Damage Does a Bushfire Typically Cause in Victoria? 

The impact of bushfires on Victoria is multifaceted. It caused massive casualties, property losses, and adverse effects on the ecological environment.

Victoria experienced two particularly severe bushfires in 2009 and 2019-2020. The 2009 Victorian Black Saturday bushfires caused widespread destruction, 173 deaths, 414 injuries, and 450,000 hectares of land to burn. The RSPCA estimates that up to one million wild and domestic animals died in the disaster.

The 2019-20 Victorian bushfires killed five people and destroyed more than 400 homes. In addition, the fires burned more than 1.5 million hectares of public and private land. For example, many koala habitats were burned in the 2019-2020 fires, and many koalas were burned or lost their homes.

Economic Impact

The bushfires destroyed many tourist attractions in Victori. In 2020, the Australian federal government announced a grant of 76 million Australian dollars to revive the tourism industry. However, some once-popular tourist areas will find it difficult to restore their former prosperity quickly.

In addition, bushfires have also caused severe damage to Victoria's infrastructure. For example, a bushfire in 2020 damaged many power lines in the northeast of Melbourne, affecting residents' essential lives and business operations.

Social Impact

Frequent and severe bushfires hurt Victoria's social stability and residents' mental health. Bushfires often leave thousands of people homeless, and community reconstruction is arduous. Survivors not only face material losses but also suffer tremendous psychological pressure and trauma.

Damage to the Ecological Environment

The bushfire caused severe damage to Victoria's ecological environment. It burned a large amount of forest vegetation, resulting in a sharp decline in biodiversity. The World Wildlife Fund reported that the bushfires in 2019-2020 caused nearly three billion animals to die or be displaced.

In addition, bushfires destroyed a large amount of forest vegetation in Victoria, consumed a large amount of groundwater, and caused mountain ash to flow into reservoirs with rainwater, causing water pollution. It affects residents' quality of life and seriously challenges agriculture and ecosystems.

How to Prevent Bushfire in Victoria?

Bushfires often threaten Victoria. In recent years, with the impact of climate change, the fire season has become more prolonged and intense. Therefore, Victorians must master key skills to cope with this natural disaster. Here are some practical tips for dealing with bushfires to help residents protect themselves and their property.

Tip 1: Clean up the surroundings in advance.

Explicit flammable materials such as leaves, hay, and branches around your home regularly. If conditions permit, maintain a firebreak of at least 30 metres, especially around your home.

Tip 2: Make an emergency plan.

Every family should have a detailed emergency evacuation plan, including evacuation routes, meeting points and contacts. Please make sure all family members are familiar with these steps and practice them before the start of the fire season.

Tip 3: Prepare an emergency supply kit.

Prepare an emergency kit in an easily accessible place indoors. Ensure it is always available, and check and update the items regularly during the fire season.

Tip 4: Do not hesitate to evacuate the fire scene.

When you receive an official emergency evacuation notice, evacuate immediately according to the predetermined plan. Follow the official recommended evacuation route and avoid crossing the fire area. Choose a wide road with less vegetation.

Tip 5: Improve fire prevention awareness.

In regular times (especially in summer and spring), pay attention to fire safety, do not litter cigarette butts, do not make fires and barbecues in the wild, and abide by fire prevention regulations. In addition, actively participate in fire drills, cleanup activities and publicity and education activities organised by the community to improve the entire community's fire prevention awareness and response capabilities.

Jackery Portable Power Stations for Emergencies

A portable power station, like Jackery Portable Power Station, is essential during a bushfire or fire emergency as it offers a dependable, safe, and mobile source of electricity to operate vital devices such as communication tools, medical equipment, lighting, and critical appliances, even when the primary power grid is compromised due to fire-related outages.

This capability enables individuals to remain informed, access emergency services, and sustain necessities in perilous circumstances; unlike gas generators, they do not release harmful fumes that could heighten fire risk.

With its large power storage capacity, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus can serve devices with high demand and guarantee a consistent energy supply even during prolonged outages. The Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro provides dependable power backup and practical energy storage for homes with modest needs.   

Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro

In addition to 1000W of output power, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro has a capacity of 1002Wh. An entire wall charge lasts 1.8 hours and can endure 1000 charging cycles. Combining two SolarSaga 80W solar panels can increase power output efficiency by 25%. It is also a low-cost way to prepare for emergencies, such as power outages caused by bushfires.

• Portable Powerhouse: The Explorer 1000 Proportable power station features two 1000W AC output outlets, two USB A connectors, and a DC vehicle port. It can power up to 93% of your household appliances, including an electric radio, refrigerator, phone, computer, and other devices. For instance, it can power a 100W radio for 8 hours, providing adequate time to receive essential government messages and warnings.

• Easy to Carry: The folding handle facilitates transportation and storage. This portable power source is ideal for home power backup because of its lightweight design and 1,000-charge cycle life. A pure sine wave inverter provides stable power to your electronic devices. In this ultra-quiet (46dB) product, a battery management system (BMS) monitors and extends battery life.

• Resistant to High Temperature: It operates effectively throughout a temperature range of 14-104 ℉ (-10-40℃), equipping you for all outdoor explorations. Furthermore, the outstanding new Smart Screen allows you effortless access to the remaining capacity, charging status, and additional information displayed on the LCD panel. It can be configured to operate for 12 hours to prevent idling and conserve energy.

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

Victoria's bushfires often can disrupt daily life, affecting everything from working from home to necessary household chores. One notable example of a vital, adaptable backup energy source that keeps your house functional in a grid outage is the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus.    

• Flexible and Expandable Power for Emergencies: The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus has a powerful 2 kWhstarting capacity, but it can be increased to 12 kWh with additional battery packs. This versatility allows you to continue using vital appliances such as lights, refrigerators, and communication devices during prolonged outages. The Explorer 2000 Plus even supports heavy-duty devices with a power output that reaches up to 3000W, ensuring nearly all critical home appliances stay operational.

• Reliable and Durable for Long-Term Use: Equipped with a LiFePO4 battery, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus offers a long-lasting solution that can handle over 4,000charge cycles, providing up to a decade of reliable use. Its quiet operation and lack of emissions make it ideal for indoor and outdoor use, creating a safe, stress-free backup solution that delivers consistent power without noise or fumes.

• Self-Sufficient Solar Power: The Explorer 2000 Plushas a maximum power output of 3000W, 30% greater than other 2 kWh models with similar specifications. Also, the Explorer 2000 Plus is commonly used; it can achieve a complete charge within 6 hours by utilising six SolarSaga 100W solar panels. The power source achieves self-sufficiency by harnessing solar energy rather than relying on the power grid for charging.

For homes in Victoria, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus and 1000 Pro offer crucial backup power options that guarantee your readiness even during unplanned power outages caused by bushfires.

How to Survive a Bushfire in Victoria?

Summer (December to February) is Victoria's peak fire season. The dry, hot weather during this period causes the ground vegetation to dry out quickly, making it easy to catch fire. In addition, the strong prevailing northwest winds in summer accelerate the spread of fire. For example, the "Black Saturday" fires in Victoria in 2009 were caused by high summer temperatures and strong winds.

Although bushfires in Victoria are fierce, it is key to stay calm, react quickly, and follow official guidance when facing them. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, it is essential to know how to deal with bushfires in Victoria, not only to protect yourself but also to reduce property damage.

What to Do When You Are Indoors in Victoria Bushfires

Here are some key things to do indoors in Victoria Bushfires.

Stay tuned for fire information.

Follow fire warnings and emergency notifications in real-time through television, radio, social media and emergency service apps such as Victoria Emergency. Subscribe to local government fire alerts to ensure you get the latest updates and evacuation instructions as soon as possible.

Evacuate as soon as possible.

Once you hear a fire alarm or discover a fire, immediately act according to the emergency plan. Do not hesitate to evacuate the fire scene quickly.

Waiting for help.

Here are the steps to take if you cannot evacuate and are waiting for help:

If you cannot evacuate the fire scene, call the local emergency number (such as 000) for help immediately. In addition, immediately get an emergency kit and wait for help.

• If the fire is not closed, all doors, windows and vents should be closed to reduce the entry of smoke and flames into the house. If possible, spray water on the roof and exterior walls to reduce the house's surface temperature and fire spread.

• If you cannot evacuate and the fire is approaching, find the safest room (such as a bathroom without flammable objects), soak the room with water, close the doors and windows, and wait for help.

What To Do When You Are Outdoors in Victoria Bushfires

Here are some key steps to deal with bushfires in Victoria when you are outdoors.

Pay attention to fire danger warnings.

Before entering bush areas, check the fire danger level and warning information issued by the local fire department. Especially when you are in bush areas, always pay attention to your surroundings and pay attention to smoke, flames and unusual smells.

Call the police and evacuate immediately.

Once you discover a fire, call the local emergency number (such as 000) immediately to report the fire and provide the specific location.

Next, leave the danger zone immediately after calling the police. Do not try to approach the fire or observe it. Please evacuate quickly in the direction opposite the fire source and avoid entering the centre of the fire. (The direction in which the fire spreads fastest is usually downwind.)

Protection measures if you cannot evacuate quickly.

If you cannot evacuate soon, find the nearest shelter, such as behind rocks or in a river valley. Please avoid entering valleys, gullies or dense vegetation areas, where smoke and heat will likely accumulate.

What Should You Do After a Bushfire in Victoria?

In recent years, bushfires have frequently hit Victoria, causing considerable losses to residents' lives and property. In addition to the efforts of the government and rescue agencies, residents' recovery measures are also crucial.

Step 1: Safety assessment and comprehensive cleanup.

Before returning home, confirm that the house and the surrounding environment are safe to avoid secondary injuries such as electric shock and collapse. Secondly, carefully check the house's water, electricity, gas supply, communication lines and other infrastructure. If damage is found, immediately contact the relevant department for repair.

Step 2: Home reconstruction and insurance claims.

Evaluate the damaged house and develop a repair or reconstruction plan. Seek professional construction companies to carry out construction to ensure that the house structure is safe and meets fire protection standards. In addition, contact the insurance company in time to submit a claim application. Prepare relevant loss certificates and information to obtain the claim successfully. 

Step 3: Pay attention to physical and mental health.

First, fires may cause air and water pollution, so we must monitor air quality. Try to drink bottled water or purified water. Second, the psychological trauma after the fire cannot be ignored. Residents should actively seek help from community psychological assistance agencies.

Step 4: Seek government and social assistance.

Pay attention to the government's post-disaster assistance policies and apply for relevant subsidies and loans. Contact charities, non-governmental organisations, etc., to seek material and financial assistance—post help information through social media platforms to gain broader social support.

Step 5: Fire prevention education and long-term planning.

Participate in disaster prevention training organised by the government or community, learn fire escape skills, and improve your and your family's disaster prevention capabilities. In addition, long-term planning should be considered in the post-disaster recovery process to enhance the community's disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities. Work with community residents to promote community infrastructure construction, such as fire water sources and emergency shelters.

Bushfire in Victoria FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the bushfire in Victoria:

1. Where were the fires in Victoria?

Bushfires in Victoria have a certain regularity and characteristics and are usually concentrated in the following areas.

• Densely forested mountainous areas
• Grasslands and shrublands
• Coastal areas
• Rural and agricultural areas
• Densely populated suburban areas

2. How many animals died on Black Saturday?

Up to one million wild and domestic animals died in this disaster (RSCPA estimates).

3. Does CFA still exist in Victoria?

CFA still exists in Victoria. Call the Victorian emergency hotline at 1800 226 226 for bushfire information and advice.

4. How did the Mallacoota fire start?

In late 2019, Australia experienced an unprecedented bushfire season, with Mallacoota in the southeast corner of Victoria becoming one of the hardest-hit areas.

First, Australia experienced an unusually severe drought in 2019, which caused the surface vegetation to become unusually dry and flammable. Second, thunderstorms played an essential role in the triggering of the fire. In December 2019, thunderstorms frequently occurred in Victoria, and lightning quickly ignited fires after striking dry vegetation. Due to the complex terrain and dense foliage, it is tough to control once a fire is formed.

Final Thoughts

Victoria is a frequent bushfire region in Australia. Its frequent bushfires not only destroy a large number of natural ecosystems but also seriously threaten the lives and property of residents. Although the bushfires in Victoria are fierce, if you prepare in advance, pay close attention to fire information and take correct response measures, you can protect yourself and your property to the greatest extent. To protect this beautiful land of Victoria and its biodiversity better, the government, the public and scientific research institutions must work together to take more effective prevention and response measures.