Ahhh winter. There’s a heavy mist rolling through the mountains. Campfire banter and thick flannel jackets are the order of the night. And, for those lucky few, a morning camp brew with a light dusting of snow on the gum trees. There’s nothing quite like winter in Australia. Although you should probably lock in a solid bush fire plan… wait what?
Yep, while many think bush fires are only a summer occurrence, the reality is winter is a time many 4X4ers head north to the likes of Cape York, the Kimberley, and the Northern Territory where ‘summer and winter’ don’t ring as true as ‘the wet’ and ‘the dry’. Huge swarths of rain lead to fertile grounds and large growth. Only for the dry season to turn the place into a tinder box. Grass fires and heathland scrub are known to burn unchecked in the back country. So what do you do if you find your back country camp getting a little extra toasty this dry season?
Step 1 – Prepare your rig
If you know you’re travelling to bush fire prone areas there’s a fair few things you can do before hitting the road to keep you and your loved ones as safe as possible. Of course there’s the basics, that are already in your camp kit already, right? Things like a fire extinguisher – we recommend a dry chemical type, a fire blanket, and a first aid kit. These are helpful for large and small fires. You’ll also want to pack plenty of water for staying hydrated, treating any burns, and ensuring your campfire is properly out.
One area people often overlook in bush fires though is air quality. Carbon monoxide, hot smoke, oxygen deprived environments and other toxins can wreak havoc on your lungs. There’s a reason Fire fighters carry their own oxygen. But what can we as 4X4ers do? Simple, stay in our vehicles. Ryco’s N99 MicroShield Cabin Air filters are able to filter out all sorts of noxious gases down to 0.3 Microns. They’re also constructed out of a flame retardant material so any embers sucked in will be quickly extinguished. It’s a relatively simple modification but provides you a safe refuge with clean cool air. Of course, cabin air filters are good for exhaust gases and airborne viruses and bacteria as well. They really should be part of your regular servicing.
Step 2 – Prepare yourself
Vehicle sorted? Well alright, it’s time to take a look at the mental preparation you can do too. First things first, stay informed. Before heading off on that trip of a lifetime have a quick look at the relevant emergency services websites. They’ll give you an update on bush fire danger ratings. This is indicative of how bad a fire will get if there is one, not the likelihood of there being one. They also give alerts on any active fires in the area. Local radio stations in the area can give updates, and larger fires often appear on apps like Emergencies Near Me too.
Create yourself a game plan too. If you find yourself in strife are you happy to drop the camper if necessary? What can and can’t get left behind? And what are you prepared to drive through? Knowing the answers to these can help you from a risk aversion perspective.
These leads into what your trigger points are as well. If you’re happy you’re prepared and know there’s relatively low risk fires ahead you may be willing to push through and update your plans as the situation changes. If not, maybe that smoke in the distance is a good time to decide you’re staying at the pub for an extra night or two.
Step 3 – Make smart choices
Great stuff so far, but what happens if it all goes pear shaped and you find yourself in the thick of it? Well, there’s a few things you need to be aware of. Firstly, your 4X4 is your best defence so do everything possible to keep it mobile. It’ll protect you from radiant heat far better than a Bintang singlet and bunnings straw hat.
If you’re able to, or need to keep moving turn your lights and hazards on and travel slowly. Any wildlife or other travellers may behave unpredictably and visibility will be low. The last thing you want is to hit a cow at 100km/h driving through smoke. If you’re unable to leave the area, look for large areas clear of vegetation, these are often found at junctions in tracks, campsites, or preferably, a beach.
Finally, if it all goes south, shelter in your vehicle as the fire passes through. Get down low in the vehicle, keep the engine running and the AC working, and throw some blankets over yourself to create a thermal barrier. When the fire has passed, it’s time to get out and quickly assess the damage, that extinguisher from before may be required if any accessories on your 4X4 have caught.
Step 4 – Don’t be the cause
Most of the advice so far has been reactive, what to do if a fire comes at you, but it’s probably just as important to not be the cause of one as well. It wasn’t that long ago large swathes of K’gari went up in flames from an illegal camp fire. If camp fires are allowed there’s a few simple rules to keep it safe. First of all, don’t be an idiot. A hot windy night isn’t the best time to be sending embers into the sky, not every night in the bush needs a campfire. Secondly, keep it manageable. A ring of a metre or two with no or low vegetation around your fire, and keeping it to a reasonable size will drastically decrease the chances of something bad happening.
And finally, never leave a fire unattended, that includes in the morning. Grab a shovel and spread the logs and ash apart to release heat and use water to cool what’s exposed. While there may not be any visible flames present the fire could still be smouldering away under the surface waiting for the hot afternoon sun to help it reignite.
Parting Thoughts
The point of this yarn isn’t to be doom and gloom, bush fires are a part of life in the top end and aren’t something to always be feared. You head bush knowing you may get stuck so you bring a winch and recovery kit and train yourself how to use it. Likewise, a few simple accessories and some knowledge can turn most bush fires into an interesting story you tell years later and not a disaster waiting to happen.
