Prepare the gutters first. Then work outwards.

A practical five-step preparation plan

1. Book a professional gutter clean and visual roof check.Remove leaves, bark, needles and silt; clear accessible outlets; record visible cracked tiles, mortar gaps or roofline concerns.
2. Reduce fine fuel around the property.Mow, rake, prune and move combustible storage using the current CFS and council rules for your property.
3. Close likely ember entry points.Inspect eaves, vents, gaps, roof penetrations and openings; use appropriate non-combustible materials and metal screening.
4. Confirm water and equipment.Test pumps, hoses and any roof-wetting system before the season. Do not assume mains water or electricity will remain available.
5. Write and practise your CFS plan.Choose triggers, routes, safer destinations, communication arrangements and relocation-kit contents before a warning is issued.

Remove an avoidable ember trap

Blocked gutters can hold dry leaves, bark, pine needles and other fine fuel. CFS includes clearing gutters in its property-preparation advice. If your roof drains to a rainwater tank, isolate or divert the tank feed before cleaning so dirty wash-water does not enter the tank.

Detailed gutter preparation

1. Schedule cleaning before your district's Fire Danger Season and again after significant leaf fall or storms.
2. Remove debris from the full length of each safely accessible gutter run, including valleys, box gutters and areas behind existing guards.
3. Clear accessible downpipe entries and outlets, then confirm flow where practical.
4. Photograph clean gutters and any visible roof concern for your records.
5. Consider a suitable metal mesh gutter guard; confirm the product, aperture and installation are appropriate for the roof, corrosion environment and any BAL construction requirements.
6. Re-check during the season when trees overhang the roof or strong weather deposits new debris.

Manage grass, vegetation and stored fuel

Fine fuels close to a building can increase ember ignition and radiant heat. The right clearance depends on slope, vegetation, planning controls and site conditions—not one universal measurement.

1. Keep grass short and maintained; CFS guidance commonly recommends grass no higher than 10 cm around the home.
2. Remove leaf litter, dead branches, bark and undergrowth, especially beside walls, decks and fences.
3. Prune lower limbs and keep branches clear of the roof so vegetation is not a continuous fuel path.
4. Move wood piles, combustible mulch, doormats, outdoor furniture and stored materials away from the building.
5. Keep access routes and the area around sheds, pumps, tanks and gas cylinders clear.
6. Maintain the work throughout the season, not only on the first clean-up day.

Before clearing vegetation: South Australian exemptions and permit rules contain conditions, and significant or regulated trees may have separate controls. Check CFS, the Native Vegetation Branch and your council before pruning or removing vegetation.

Ember-proofing, roof sprinklers and water supply

Many houses are lost when embers enter gaps or ignite fine fuel. Inspect under eaves, roof ridges, vents, weep holes, decks and penetrations. Suitable metal screens and non-combustible gap-sealing can reduce entry points, but construction work should follow current building requirements and product instructions.

1. Clean first. Water falling on a gutter full of dry debris does not remove the fuel problem.
2. Seal and screen. Address roof, eave and vent gaps using appropriate non-combustible systems.
3. Test coverage. If roof sprinklers are installed, check pressure, even coverage, activation and safe operating procedures before the season.
4. Plan for outages. Mains pressure and power can fail. CFS guidance for active property defence discusses an independent water supply and firefighting pump; assess the requirements of your own survival plan.
5. Never rely on sprinklers alone. They do not replace fuel reduction, ember protection, evacuation planning or official warnings.

Major South Australian fires affecting Adelaide, the Hills and nearby regions

Event summaries: CFS bushfire history. Figures can vary between preliminary and final reports, so the official history should be used for detailed research.

Understanding Bushfire Attack Level (BAL)

BAL is a site assessment used in Australian bushfire construction requirements. It considers vegetation type, distance, slope and the applicable fire danger assumptions. A qualified assessor should determine the rating for building or renovation work.

Higher ratings lead to more demanding construction measures such as screened openings, protected glazing, non-combustible components and sealed gaps. Do not infer a property's rating from its suburb alone.

CFS Bushfire Survival Plans

CFS provides a quick 5 Minute Bushfire Plan and a fuller Bushfire Survival Plan. Write the plan, practise it and make sure everyone understands the triggers and alternatives.

• Decide whether your safest plan is to leave early; CFS warns that leaving late is dangerous.
• Choose a trigger such as the forecast fire danger rating, a Total Fire Ban or changing local conditions.
• Prepare a relocation kit with documents, medication, water, protective clothing, chargers and essential supplies.
• Choose a Bushfire Safer Place and at least one alternative route.
• Plan for pets, livestock, vulnerable household members and failed phone or power services.

Bushfire Safer Places and Last Resort Refuges

Bushfire Safer Places offer relative safety and are the preferred relocation option. Bushfire Last Resort Refuges are a last choice when a plan has failed; they provide limited protection and may expose people to heat, smoke and embers.

CFS listings have included open spaces such as Birdwood, Gumeracha, Houghton, Kersbrook, Mount Torrens, Mylor, Mount Compass, Echunga and Meadows recreation grounds or ovals. A named location is not a guarantee that it is suitable for your route or current conditions.

Check on the day: Use the current CFS map and warnings before travelling. Locations, access and fire conditions can change. Never drive toward a fire front to reach a listed refuge.

Full property protection checklist

• Gutters and accessible downpipe entries cleared
• Completion photos and visual roof observations recorded
• Grass kept short and fine fuels removed
• Branches and stored combustibles clear of buildings
• Roof, eave, vent and penetration gaps checked
• Pumps, hoses and sprinklers tested
• Independent water needs assessed
• CFS plan written and practised
• Relocation kit packed
• Safer place and alternative routes checked

Use current South Australian guidance