How to Stay Safe From Fire When RV or Caravan Touring

Posted by Jane Clothier on 23 December, 2015

There are times when leaving the beaten track may mean getting into danger. When touring your RV or caravan in Australia, you may well pass through or stay in areas that are subject to of fire risk.

 

You know about the conditions near to your home, but do you understand them when further afield? Forewarned is forearmed, so it’s worth knowing how to recognise and respond to different levels of risk when travelling around Australia.

Brush fires are unpredictable and can take you unawares. When you’re travelling in remote areas on dirt roads, it’s very common to see spinifex growing close to the tracks and even between them.

 

Spinifex needles are rich with resin and are highly flammable, meaning it can take no more than contact with a hot exhaust to spark a fire. This is something to remember if you park up to take a break or catch some scenery. Do you want a burned out vehicle?

 

You can reduce the risk by always clearing scrub from under your vehicle when you park. Try to park on a cleared area – if you can’t, clear the dry scrub with a long tool, such as a gardening fork or shovel. Many tourers keep one on board for this purpose.

As a responsible traveller, you should do everything to eliminate fire risk in areas of high risk or total fire bans, even if it means curtailing your holiday activities a little. This includes setting up a campfire, outdoor gas stove or a barbie. Remember that power tools can also spark fires - take extra care if you’re a smoker, too.

If you know there have been major fires in certain areas, avoid travelling through them. Clear roads may be needed for the emergency and support services for affected residents.

 

Off season, smoke across the road can create risks. It can also ruin a campsite stay if you’re not prepared for it. In some areas, controlled burns are used in the winter season to reduce low level, flammable vegetation that can fuel more serious fires in the summer.

 

At any time of year, the best thing you can do is monitor information services as you travel:

  • Go online to view national park websites, to be aware of any closures affecting roads or even the entire park. An outback road closure can mean many kilometres of heading back the way you came.
  • Phone bushfire hotlines and visitor information offices to stay up-to-the-minute.
  • ABC regional radio also provides regular updates in high risk areas.
  • Collate numbers and bookmark websites before you leave home, so that you can update on fire risk situations regularly.
  • Find out the emergency mobile apps for the areas you’re travelling to and download them to your mobile device.
  • Join Facebook pages that pass on fire alerts, such as state police forces and the regional fire services.

 

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