If you are leaving early ahead of a bushfire

For many people in the Greater Geelong region, leaving early is the safest bushfire plan. “Early” usually means the night before or early in the morning – well before fire or heavy smoke arrives.

• Confirm any Emergency Warnings, Watch and Act messages and Fire Danger Ratings for your area.
• Decide where you will go – family, friends, or a safer built-up town well away from the fire.
• Pack important items: medications, ID, phone chargers, cash, clothes, pet supplies and key documents.
• Choose main sealed roads away from the fire direction, not through forested back roads if you can avoid it.
• Leave early enough that you are not driving in heavy smoke, embers or darkness.

If you must stay and shelter from a bushfire

Staying to defend or shelter from a bushfire is dangerous. Only stay if you fully understand the risks, your home is well-prepared, and you have no safer option. Use any remaining safe time to prepare your property and a safe room.

Prepare your home (while it is still safe to be outside)

• Move flammable items (doormats, outdoor furniture, wood piles, rubbish) away from the house.
• Clear leaves and debris from gutters, decks and around the base of walls.
• Block gaps under doors with wet towels and close vents, windows and doors.
• Fill sinks, buckets and the bath with water. Place mops and towels nearby.
• Pull down metal blinds and curtains. Move furniture away from windows.

Get your shelter room ready

• Choose a room inside the main building with two exits if possible, away from large windows.
• Keep drinking water, a battery radio, torches, first aid kit and woollen blankets in the room.
• Charge phones and keep them with you; back up critical information if you can.

If you are unsure whether to leave or stay

Feeling unsure is common, especially when information changes quickly. Use this time to get a clear, simple plan and avoid leaving it until the last minute.

• Check VicEmergency warnings and the Fire Danger Rating for your area.
• Ask yourself honestly: “If conditions get worse quickly, would we be safer already away from here?”
• Prepare the car as if you are leaving: fuel, water, food, maps, chargers and pet supplies.
• Agree on clear trigger points: for example, “If a Watch and Act or Emergency Warning is issued for our town, we will leave immediately.”
• If anyone in your home is elderly, has a disability, young children or health conditions, strongly consider leaving early to avoid last-minute stress.

Looking after pets and animals in Greater Geelong

Pets and animals are part of the family. Plan for them early so you are not trying to organise transport and food at the last minute.

• Have pet carriers, leashes and muzzles ready near the door.
• Pack food, water, bowls, bedding, medications and vet records for each animal.
• Know which friends, boarding kennels or shelters outside the risk area can take your animals.
• For larger animals, move them to safer, low-fuel paddocks early, with access to water.
• Never leave pets tied up or locked in small yards or sheds where they cannot escape heat and smoke.