What to do if there's a bushfire while you're travelling

An emergency warning was issued for popular tourist town Dunsborough in WA's South West on Sunday, February 17, 2025, with parts of the town told to evacuate.(Supplied: Joanne Drake)

If you're travelling, it's important you stay up to date with weather conditions, fire danger ratings, and emergency warnings. If there's a bushfire in the area that's threatening lives and property, you'll need to know when to leave and where you should go.

Be prepared to leave quickly

Grass fires can move three times faster than a bushfire and are very hot, so they can be extremely dangerous and hard to escape. You need to be ready to get out quickly.

Leaving early is always the safest option. If you're in a risky area, this could be as early the day before forecast extreme or catastrophic fire weather.
Make sure you've always got enough fuel in your vehicle to get away from the danger zone. Petrol stations will not be operating if their electricity supply is interrupted.
Contact friends and family and tell them your plan.
Check live traffic apps to see how the fire is impacting the roads you plan to drive on.
Don't try to continue your journey if it puts you in the path of fires or extreme fire weather.
Tune your radio to the local ABC station for updates — Watch and Act and Emergency warnings are broadcast regularly along with extra information.
You can find the ABC Radio frequency for the area you're in here.
Use your phone apps to find out more information from the local emergency services and follow their instructions. You can set favourite locations to make it even easier. If you don't have the apps downloaded, you can check the relevant state or territory emergency services website.
Know where to find the local evacuation centre or emergency shelter. The local council should have a Facebook page or an online disaster dashboard you can check for this information.
During major emergencies, the Red Cross will activate its Register.Find.Reunite service. Travellers in disaster zones register their details to enable family to locate them.

If you're driving and can't leave safely

If you are trapped by a fire and you cannot leave the area safely, your car can provide some shelter. Fire authorities have this advice:

Call Triple Zero (000) and let them know where you are.
Find a clear area away from grass or dense bush. Park behind a barrier like a wall or rocky outcrop to minimise your exposure to the heat of the fire.
The front of the car should face the oncoming fire.
Don't park on the road; turn hazard lights on to prevent accidents.
Stay in the car and shut all windows and doors.
Always carry wool blankets in your car — they could save your life by reducing the radiant heat from the fire.
Cover all passengers with woollen blankets and crouch below window level.
Drink water to prevent dehydration.
Turn off air conditioning and shut vents when the fire is near.
Stay down and inside the car until the sound of the fire has passed.

Posted 21 Dec 2020Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 2:47am, updated 16 Nov 2025Sun 16 Nov 2025 at 2:06am

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