Community fire safety at the urban/rural interface: The bushfire risk

Abstract

Severe bushfires in Australia are responsible for substantial property damage and loss of life particularly at the urban/rural interface of larger cities. The awareness of the bushfire risk by residents living at the urban/rural interface is a mitigating factor in determining the likelihood of residents undertaking fire prevention activities and the actions they may take in the event of a major bushfire. A survey of residents in the urban/rural interface was undertaken to examine issues of fire safety including bushfire risk, bushfire knowledge, fire prevention, communication and education. A significant proportion ( p<0.05) of surveyed residents (52%) living in the urban/rural interface acknowledged that they live in a very high fire risk area. Surveyed residents that were new to the area or had a lower fire-related knowledge perceived bushfires to be a lower threat. Fire prevention by residents was significantly lower ( p<0.05) for non-property owners than property owners. There was also a perception by more than half of the respondents that fire authorities would protect individual homes during a bushfire. This study suggests there is a need to develop further community education and self-reliance amongst residents in the urban/rural interface. Education and self-reliance are critical to ensure self-protection of residents during bushfires and enhance complementary action provided by local fire authorities.