“We will all see each other after this, because we will be okay,” was the opening line of a community meeting held at Blaxland High School tonight to prepare and inform residents about the bush fire dangers tomorrow.
With wind gusts of 100km an hour predicted tomorrow we could experience some of the worst fire conditions we’ve seen in decades. These winds can carry embers for 10-12km.
We do not know what to expect tomorrow so now it is time to prepare for the worst, keep alert and work together as a community to assist our neighbours and help the brave fire fighters help us.
What should you do tomorrow?
First thing is to download and become familiar with the RFS Bush Fire Survival plan which can be accessed here
After you have read that you can decide whether you want to stay with your property or leave. If you do decide to leave, please try to leave before lunch time to avoid traffic jams.
Deciding to stay and defend your property is a risky decision.
David Metcalf has spent the past week speaking to residents who have lost their properties. A man approached him and said, “mate, if you had let me stay, I may still have a house now.”
Mr. Metcalf replied, “mate, if you stayed, you may have been our first dead person.”
Remember houses can be rebuilt, lives can’t.
It is vital to keep tabs on the fires burning. In extreme circumstances landlines and mobile phone service can die. At this moment it is best to monitor local radio or ABC 702. If you don’t have a battery run radio at your home, use the one in your car for updates.
A helpful app to download is “Fires Near Me NSW”, it also helps to monitor the RFS Website, social media and 24 hour TV news services like ABC24.
Here is a check list of important things to do in preparation for tomorrow.
+ Move combustible items away from your house (but not next to your neighbours house)
+ Turn off gas if fires approach
+ Close exposed vents, if possible with non-flammable mesh
+ Don’t climb on your roof, the last thing you want to do is injure yourself
+ Talk to your neighbours and assist anyone who needs help, especially the elderly.
+ Make sure you have plenty of water on hand
If you are staying with your house:
+ Keep buckets of water and hoses inside the house
+ Wear cotton or wool clothing, long pants, goggles and gloves if possible. Enclosed shoes and use a cloth or nappy to create a mask to breath through
+ Seal doors and windows with wet towels
+ When you hear the fire coming stay in your house, seek shelter, you are safer in your house than outside in this circumstance
If you are leaving:
+ Pack a change of clothes for two days, money, meds, personal documents and anything that can’t be replaced
Although there are no official evacuation centres for the lower Blue Mountains (aside from Springwood), Glenbrook bowling club is opening their arms to people who need help. They will have food, first aid and staff who can look after children.
If you need somewhere to go as a very last resort there are some unofficial check points set up which will have people with first-aid on hand.
These are:
Mt Riverview shops
Uniting Church on Old Bathurst Road
Matthew Pde tennis courts
and the park behind Glenbrook bowling club.
If you see any smoke or flames that seem unusual (not linked to reported fires) make sure you call 000 and alert the RFS as there will be no back-burning tomorrow.
Be prepared, have your survival plan ready, communicate with neighbours and family and most of all stay safe.
