Bushfires in NSW

Topic 6
Reducing the impacts
of bushfires

STAGE 3 TEACHER RESOURCE
Years 5-6

A NSW National Parks ranger carrying dry fire fighting equipment. Credit: John Spencer/DPIE

Fire signs in national parks provide essential information to the public

Reducing the impacts of bushfires is critical for ensuring the safety and survival of people, properties and the natural environment – now and into the future.

To be successful we need people to work together at an individual, community and government level, as outlined in this topic.

At the end of this topic, students will be able to:

describe the role of individuals, the community and government agencies in reducing bushfire impacts
provide specific examples of how individuals, communities and the government can reduce bushfire impacts
understand the process of climate change and explain why managing climate change is critical for reducing the impacts of bushfires.

Role of individuals

Individuals can take a range of steps to work towards reducing the impacts of bushfires on themselves, their property and the community.

Some efforts include:

developing and continually updating bushfire plans, paying attention to local and state government recommendations
implementing actions around your home as required in your bushfire plan, such as mulching and slashing vegetation, clearing gutters and generally removing as much flammable material as possible
staying connected to key local bushfire management committees and following recommended advice
keeping up-to-date with weather and bushfire danger warnings
volunteering for the local area NSW Rural Fire Service and participating in community recovery efforts.

The 4 steps to follow to create your own bushfire survival plan. Discuss, prepare, know, keep. Credit: NSW National Parks

The RFS recommends 4 key actions when creating a bushfire plan

Bushfire fact: How to plan and prepare for a bushfire [3:11]

Having a plan gives you a better chance of surviving a bushfire. Discuss your plan with the other members of your home and prepare your home as necessary.

Bushfire fact: The new fire danger rating system. Know the changes. [0:29]

New fire danger ratings have been rolled out since 1 September 2022. Some days are more dangerous than others. That's why we have a fire danger rating system. The higher the rating, the more dangerous the conditions. There are four levels - Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic. Each level comes with clear actions to take. On days of minimal risk, 'No Rating' will be used. The fire danger ratings are based on the latest science and research, meaning they're more accurate - and the same system is used across Australia

Role of communities

Communities can work together with local and state government organisations to reduce the impacts of bushfires on people, infrastructure, resources and the natural environment.

Plan: A NSW National Parks ranger standing with his back to camera during training in a national park. Credit: John Spencer/DPIE

Communities have the opportunity to provide input into Bushfire Risk Management Plans to make sure the most treasured items and places are documented.

Local community meetings and workshops explain the process and give local community members a say when prioritising work.

Community Protection Plans cover things like:

the level of bushfire threat to a community
bushfire management options available to the community prior to and during bushfires
access and evacuation information
current and proposed works for reducing the impact of bushfires, such as community engagement and hazard reduction burns
identification of important or at-risk facilities such as schools, nursing homes and childcare centres.

Act: NSW National Parks staff clearing trees in a national park. Credit: John Spencer/DPIE

People in bushfire-prone areas can join a local bushfire brigade by volunteering with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) to build an understanding of bushfire risk and learn skills to help protect themselves and their community. This involves actions such as:

consultation with community members to educate about fire behaviour and increase community preparedness in the event of a bushfire
identifying and maintaining Bushfire Neighbourhoods Safer Places (NSP) – locations where people facing immediate threat to their personal safety can gather and seek shelter
provide training for bushfire events

Share: Staff and volunteers in a national park during fire safety training. Credit John Spencer/DPIE

The community can help spread important information by word-of-mouth and on social media. This includes encouraging friends and neighbours to contact their local Fire Control Centre to be proactive about bushfire management.

Review and refine: Red plant resprouting on a mountain gum. Credit: Adam Klumper/DPIE

The community can help with reviewing and refining bushfire plans through community meetings, community education events, local information guides and social media. This often happens after a bushfire to collect feedback and update management activities.

Role of governments

Local and state government organisations are responsible for coordinating the planning and implementation of policies, programs and other on-the-ground activities.

Planning: A NSW National Parks ranger inspects damaged corroboree frog enclosures. Credit: John Spencer/DPIE

Government organisations conduct scientific research to help build a knowledge base for effective bushfire management.

This information, along with staff expertise, is used to:

develop and implement policies, procedures and key bushfire management strategies
support the development of reliable tools for predicting bushfire behaviour
monitor and predict fire weather to help inform bushfire management, including managing and suppressing bushfires
update key bushfire management strategies in NSW.

Local and state government authorities maintain and manage bushfire-prone areas. This includes reducing as much fuel from an area as possible, through hazard reduction burns and roadside vegetation management.

Government authorities are also responsible for maintaining critical fire management infrastructure such as aircraft, fire towers and firefighting vehicles.

Leadership: NSW National Parks staff in a national park during fire safety training. Credit John Spencer/DPIE

State government organisations bring communities, local government organisations and other relevant agencies together to collaborate. This includes running workshops to help guide decision-making processes, and coordinating place-based planning efforts.

Issuing bushfire danger warnings and advice during bushfires is also the responsibility of government organisations.

Managing climate change: It's everyone's responsibility

Climate change is causing more frequent and intense bushfires throughout the world, including eastern Australia and NSW. Projections for climate change over the coming decades indicate intense bushfire seasons will become even more frequent and intense.

Urgent action is needed at a local, national and global level to cut carbon emissions to slow the rate of climate change. This is called climate change mitigation.

Strategies, based on lessons learned from previous bushfires, need to be put in place so that we can adapt to this unpredictable future. This is called climate change adaptation.

Review the ‘Climate change’ Slides presentation to learn more about climate change. You can also visit the AdaptNSW website from the NSW Government for more information.

Scientific process: increased gloabl warming and climate change

Activities

Personal bushfire preparation and management plan

Using the advice from recognised bushfire authorities, students create a bushfire preparation and management plan for their home.

Activity 6.1 instructions

Plan and host a community bushfire preparation meeting

Plan and host a meeting for the community to inform people about how they can best prepare for the next bushfire event, including preparing a meeting agenda.

Activity 6.2 instructions