Living in Perth means enjoying plenty of sunshine, but in the hot summer months, you need to be prepared for the worst. Each year, bushfires threaten hundreds of homes, lives and communities all across Western Australia. Whether you live in the suburbs or near bushland, having a strong bushfire survival plan can make a life-saving difference.
From creating a bushfire plan to protecting your home with practical steps like clearing vegetation and installing ember-resistant security screens. Preparation starts now, not when a fire is on your doorstep.
Understand how to make a secure bushfire plan to keep your home and family safe.
Understanding Bushfire Risk
Every year, Perth and the surrounding suburbs face bushfire risks due to hot, dry conditions, strong winds, and proximity to bushland. Homes in both rural and outer suburbs need to ensure that they are fully prepared, stay informed and understand the warning systems put in place to stay protected.
Fire Danger Rating System
The Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) helps you understand daily fire risk. Ratings range from Moderate to Catastrophic, with higher ratings indicating dangerous fire conditions.
Moderate (Green)
Fires can start and may be hard to control in some conditions.
High (Yellow)
Fires can become dangerous. Your life and property may be at risk if a fire starts. Review your bushfire plan; consider leaving bushfire‑prone areas if needed.
Extreme
Take action now to protect your life and property. Very dangerous fire conditions. If a fire starts, it will spread quickly and be hard to control. If you aren’t fully prepared, plan to leave early.
Catastrophic
These are extremely dangerous conditions. If a fire starts and takes hold, lives are likely to be lost. Homes cannot withstand fire in these conditions.
For further information, make sure to check out the AFDRS website.
Understanding Bushfire Attack Levels
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) is used to assess the potential risk to buildings during a bushfire. It measures how much radiant heat a structure may be exposed to and determines the level of construction required to reduce the risk.
This assessment is crucial for anyone building, renovating, or living near bushland.
There are six BAL ratings, ranging from low to extreme:
- BAL–LOW indicates the lowest risk, where ember attack is unlikely. No special construction requirements are needed, though maintaining good fire safety habits is still recommended.
- BAL–12.5 means there is a low risk of ember attack. Minor upgrades such as ember protection for vents and gaps may be required.
- BAL–19 represents a moderate risk with increasing exposure to heat and embers. Building designs must include sealed gaps and tougher materials.
- BAL–29 is a high-risk category. Homes must meet stricter standards, including non-combustible cladding and bushfire-rated glazing.
- BAL–40 reflects a very high risk, where direct flame contact and intense radiant heat are likely. Buildings require robust fire-resistant construction.
- BAL–FZ (Flame Zone) is the most extreme level, where direct exposure to the fire front is expected. Construction in these areas demands the highest level of fire resistance and often requires special approvals and design solutions.
Clearview Security offers BAL–FZ compliant security screens, engineered to meet the highest protection standards to help safeguard your property in even the most extreme bushfire conditions.
Preparing for Bushfire Season
Before bushfire season it is recommended that you prepare. Make sure that you have a bushfire plan, prepare your property and know what should be in your emergency kit for when you need to leave. It’s always better to be prepared to leave to keep yourself and your family safe.
Creating a Bushfire Plan
Having a clear bushfire plan is critical, especially in high-risk areas across Perth and regional WA. Decide early whether you will stay and actively defend your property or leave well before a fire threatens your area. Waiting too long can be deadly.
Know where you will go, how you’ll get there, and what you need to take. Consider multiple evacuation routes in case roads are closed. Don’t forget pets! Make sure to include carriers, leads, and food in your planning.
All household members must understand the plan before fire season begins. A written plan gives everyone confidence to act under pressure.
Prepare Your Property
A well-prepared property gives your home a better chance of surviving a bushfire. Start by clearing gutters of leaves, mowing long grass, and removing dry vegetation or garden waste close to buildings.
Move flammable materials such as wood piles, outdoor furniture, and plastic play equipment far away from your home’s perimeter. Trim overhanging branches and maintain at least a 20-metre buffer zone around structures if possible.
Fire-resistant security screen doors and fire escape security windows help prevent embers from entering your home, which is a major cause of house fires during bushfire events.
Pack an Emergency Kit
Your emergency kit should be packed before bushfire season begins and stored somewhere easy to grab quickly.
Include essentials like identification, copies of important documents, a phone charger, a torch, a battery-powered radio, and any medications you or your family need. Add face masks, bottled water, long-life food, and a first-aid kit.
If you have pets, include their food, bowls, and any medications. Also include hard copies of emergency contact numbers and your bushfire plan.
Returning & Recovery
Only return home to your property once authorities confirm it’s safe. Be alert for hazards such as fallen power lines, embers, and damaged structures. Always wear protective gear when entering or cleaning up.
Check your home carefully, especially in concealed areas like roof spaces and under decks. Take photos of any damage for insurance claims and contact your insurer promptly.
If your home includes bushfire-rated security doors or screens, inspect them for signs of heat or ember exposure. They may have helped prevent more serious damage.
Support neighbours where possible, and take advantage of local recovery services.
Choose Clearview for your Security Doors
In bushfire-prone areas, every layer of protection counts, and that includes your doors and windows. Clearview Security specialises in high-quality BAL-rated security doors and screens designed to help defend your home against ember attack, radiant heat, and airborne debris.
Whether you’re building in a bushfire zone or upgrading an existing property, choose a security door provider you can trust. Contact our team today for more information.
