The summer has been particularly hot and dry. Very little hazard reduction burning was carried out due to winter and early spring rains. Pasture growth has been excellent. The property where you work has retained eucalypt bushland and established a native revegetation area. Fuel loads are very high. The property runs steers and is watered by permanent creeks and dams.
The fire danger has been high all summer. The appropriate procedure to minimise the fire risk to stock, pasture and farm buildings should be to:
Tell the local bushfire brigade how hot and dry it has been.
Start planting autumn pasture so that the property will green up when it rains.
Undertake a range of property protection measures including the maintenance and construction of firebreaks and the preparation of fire fighting equipment.
Listen each day for bushfire warnings on the radio.
It is now early February and the other states are experiencing serious bushfires as a heatwave crosses the country from west to east. Extremely high temperatures and hot north-westerly winds are forecast to reach your district over the next three days. You should:
Ensure that the stock have sufficient water and shade and check firebreaks and fire fighting equipment.
Light the heaps of logs and stumps in the back paddock now that they have dried out.
Take a few days off to visit friends on the coast.
Begin constructing a very big dam.
After breakfast on the second day of the heatwave a pall of smoke appears in the timbered country to the west of the property. The smoke is blowing towards you on the hot westerly wind. The best course of action is to:
Be thankful the fire is not burning on your property.
Contact the local bushfire brigade to inform them about the fire and move the steers to a ploughed paddock.
Drive out to the western boundary of the property and begin back burning on your own.
Telephone the neighbours to suggest a meeting to discuss the problem of arsonists in the area.
Within two hours the fire is burning along a two-kilometre front and threatening the western boundary. Good firebreaks have so far stopped its progress. Three fire fighting vehicles and teams are patrolling this area. A cool southerly change is expected later in the day. Your main concern should be to:
Continue to patrol the firebreaks, watch for spot fires and keep in communication with all personnel on the property.
Make sure the swimming pool is clean for the fire fighters to have a swim after the barbecue.
Muster all the steers.
Photograph the fire damage to the boundary fence for insurance purposes.
5. By sunset the fire moved to the north away from the property. It has been a very difficult day assisting the fire fighters and coordinating property communications. You are feeling very tired, thirsty and a bit giddy and sick. Your water bottle is empty. You should:
Get a drink out of the hose of the one remaining bushfire tanker.
Do nothing and wait till you get back to the homestead.
Walk into the burnt out forest and get a drink from a creek.
Ask for a drink of fresh water and help from one of the fire fighters as you may be suffering from dehydration.