western australia

Our new plan to stay safe during a bushfire

@JudyEv (381955)

Rockingham, Australia

January 8, 2021 12:22am CST

This is the third and last post about our new plan to create a safe place should we be faced with a major bushfire. Our land is not productive. During his working life, Vince had a job which took all his energy and time so our 18 acres was purely and simply for us to enjoy and to share with the wildlife here. Our plan is to use the blade on the tractor to clear all vegetation from a large part of one paddock. We will probably buy a fire-fighting outfit which is a small tank on a trailer and equipped with a pump. In the event of a major disaster, we’d park the car in the middle of the cleared area and use the water to put out spot fires, should there be any. As the heat can be intense, we will need to make sure the area is quite large. If there was time we might tow the caravan there too. As I said, the land is of no use for anything else. Once the immediate danger is past and the fire has gone around us, we could go back to the house and hopefully put out any spot fires there. So that’s the plan but, at the moment, there is a total ban on moving vehicles in paddocks. Once the weather eases a little, we’ll hitch up the blade and start. It’s 41C here today. The photo is of the tractor blade. It's a sod of a thing to get on and off but we'll get there.

34 people like this

33 responses

@arunima25 (93194)

• Bangalore, India

8 Jan 21

It's good to be ready with a good plan. We pray that nothing happens but it's good that you are all ready in case of any unexpected eventuality.

5 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

This plan won't cost us a lot other than some time and effort. It could all be for naught but that would be a great outcome.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

@arunima25 Thanks. Us too. If it's all a waste of time, that would be good.

1 person likes this

@arunima25 (93194)

• Bangalore, India

8 Jan 21

. I hope you never have to put them in action.

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@cherigucchi (15934)

• Philippines

8 Jan 21

Readiness is truly important. Keep safe.

5 people like this

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@cherigucchi (15934)

• Philippines

8 Jan 21

@JudyEv With prayers as well.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

@cherigucchi Thank you.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

Thank you. With luck, we'll never have a fire here.

2 people like this

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@rsa101 (40962)

• Philippines

8 Jan 21

Wow that’s really hot if temperature is at 41 over there. Hope there’s no more fire hazard happening over there. I remember last year was really worse over there.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

We have had some incredibly fierce fires over the years. They are part of life really.

@LadyDuck (502343)

• Italy

8 Jan 21

Your plan sounds good, getting rid of the vegetation is the best way to prevent fires. Keeping a fire fighting truck ready is surely a good thing to do in case of a fire should start.

4 people like this

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@LadyDuck (502343)

• Italy

9 Jan 21

@JudyEv I am sure you would be safe with no vegetation near the house.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

We will have a very bare area - no vegetation at all so there should be nothing that can catch alight. We can protect the vehicle and ourselves should anything catch alight.

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@xFiacre (14803)

• Ireland

8 Jan 21

@judyev How can you even think in heat of 41C?

4 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

I guess it's what you're used to. And we're not out in it although we did have to go to town. But the car is air-conditioned as are the shops and it's a dry heat. I'd have the same trouble with extreme cold.

1 person likes this

@moffittjc (128833)

• Gainesville, Florida

8 Jan 21

Let's just hope there are no fires for you to worry about. But it's good to have a plan just in case!

4 people like this

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@moffittjc (128833)

• Gainesville, Florida

12 Jan 21

@JudyEv By rule of thumb, if you take the time to prepare, nothing bad will happen. But if you don't take the time to prepare, a major bushfire will affect your property. That's just kind of the way life works.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan 21

@moffittjc Yes, I subscribe to that. Have everything ready and it will never happen.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

As I said, we've been safe for 16 years but there is always that one time when things can go pear-shaped.

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@Aquitaine24 (12000)

• San Jose, California

8 Jan 21

It is good to plan ahead.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

There has been a lot of publicity about being prepared should there be a bushfire. Everyone is supposed to have a plan.

@Juliaacv (56187)

• Canada

8 Jan 21

You sound like your are going to be ready. I hope that it never comes close enough that you need to put this plan into action though.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

We hope that too but we do need to accept that it could happen one day.

2 people like this

@jaboUK (64346)

• United Kingdom

8 Jan 21

Wow - 41C is mind bogglingly hot. I hope your precautions prove to be un-needed.

3 people like this

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@jaboUK (64346)

• United Kingdom

8 Jan 21

@JudyEv I hope you continue to be fire-free.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

When the temperatures are so high, it's even more wonderful to be retired! We've been 16 years here without a fire so hopefully our luck will hold.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

@jaboUK Thanks

1 person likes this

@Fleura (34960)

• United Kingdom

8 Jan 21

My biggest fear would be fire cutting off escape routes I think. Other than that it sounds as though you will be well prepared. Also need to make sure you have all documents (passport, insurance, title deeds etc) somewhere you can grab them if you have to leave. I guess many are backed up online nowadays, but not all.

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@Fleura (34960)

• United Kingdom

8 Jan 21

@JudyEv Indeed, but of course that sort of thing can happen to anyone anywhere.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

We have two gates out of the property and at opposite ends. The photo albums are near the door and important documents in a safe which we'd empty and take with us. I can imagine it being a real panic if it ever came to having to abandon the house.

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@DianneN (254949)

• United States

8 Jan 21

A plan in place is wise. Hoping you never have to use it.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

We haven't needed it in 16 years but having a plan is good insurance.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (254949)

• United States

9 Jan 21

1 person likes this

@FayeHazel (40230)

• United States

8 Jan 21

Oh dear. Is fire a danger there? That sounds like a reasonable idea

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

We have very big bushfires every year in one area or another. Sometimes whole small towns are wiped out.

1 person likes this

@FayeHazel (40230)

• United States

9 Jan 21

@JudyEv Oh my goodness. I can't imagine

1 person likes this

@ZedSmart (19839)

• Philippines

8 Jan 21

That is a good preparedness Ms. Judy.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

As long as we make the area quite large, I think we should be safe. We would have wet towels with us as there would be a lot of smoke around.

2 people like this

@DocAndersen (54399)

• United States

8 Jan 21

based on what happened last year i think that is a brilliant plan!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

I was pretty pleased to come up with it. lol And it won't cost much. The area will have to be large enough so that the heat and smoke won't affect us. but it's just pasture all around which hopefully won't generate too much heat. It won't be like being in the middle of a forest.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

@DocAndersen Thanks

1 person likes this

@DocAndersen (54399)

• United States

8 Jan 21

@JudyEv you should be proud! it is a really cool idea

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@RebeccasFarm (91299)

• United States

8 Jan 21

You are brilliant you two as I always say..Preparedness is also my motto

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

Thanks. It's a simple plan but hopefully, it would work.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (135663)

• Marion, Ohio

8 Jan 21

That would help a lot. You will get it on. Some of that stuff is very heavy to lift.

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@wolfgirl569 (135663)

• Marion, Ohio

9 Jan 21

@JudyEv I know that game very well

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Jan 21

@wolfgirl569 I guess you do!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

It's mostly a matter of backing the tractor in squarely. Sometimes it goes easily; sometimes not.

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@rakski (156299)

• Philippines

8 Jan 21

that is good. At least you are prepared for the fire just in case

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 21

It would be foolish to pretend that the danger doesn't exist but hopefully we'll never need to put our plan into action.

2 people like this

@rakski (156299)

• Philippines

9 Jan 21

@JudyEv I am hoping that this situation will not come to you but it is better be prepared.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

@rakski That's what we think too.

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@thelme55 (79308)

• Germany

8 Jan 21

Wow! It is so hot there. It is good that you have a plan for staying safe in time of a bushfire.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

We are all supposed to have a plan and to decide if we'd stay or go. If you choose to stay then you need to follow various guidelines to help you fight a fire.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (222320)

• United States

8 Jan 21

I hope your plan works out. Is the ban due to the risk of fire/sparks?

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

Yes that's right. The grass is tinder dry and a spark could easily start a fire.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

8 Jan 21

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381955)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 21

It's a simple plan and won't cost us much. Thanks.

1 person likes this