Bushfire survival presentation attracts 150 people
A Bushfire Survival Presentation held at Pearl Beach Community Memorial Hall on Saturday, January 13, has attracted more than 150 people, according to the Pearl Beach Progress Association
The talk was presented by the Pearl Beach Rural Fire Service brigade, the progress association and Central Coast Council community education officer Ms Jen East.
Brigade captain Mr Lindsay Boyd said those attending actively engaged in the discussion about the bushfire risks of the area, and what could be done to prepare and respond when fire affected the village and surrounds.
"Our presentation wouldn't have been possible without the tireless support of the Pearl Beach Progress Association and its Safety Advisory Group.
"We greatly appreciate the support from Hunter Joint Organisation and Central Coast Council who arranged for us to have use of the SimTable which allowed us to model how fires may spread and move during typical summer weather conditions.
"We hope that the presentation helped highlight the bushfire risks inherent to the Pearl Beach area, including the potential for the village to quickly be isolated if Pearl Beach Dr or the electrical cables for the village become affected by fire."
Mr Boyd said one of the subjects discussed was spot fires.
'On days with hot, dry air, and driven by wind, burning embers can be blown large distances ahead of the main fire.
"If those embers land in the right spot, they can ignite a new fire ahead of that main fire.
"Spot fires can result in bushfires jumping over containment lines.
"They can produce situations where you can rapidly be surrounded by fire with the main fire on one side, and spot fires having jumped behind you.
"Under conditions not uncommon in our area during summer, they could jump up to two kilometres.
"That means that a fire near the Warrah Trig Track could see embers falling into Pearl Beach Village starting spotfires, affecting properties and critically affecting Pearl Beach Drive - the only roadway in and out of the village.
"This is why the advice that evacuating by leaving early is the safest option, especially on days of Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger when the conditions could see those spot fires travelling well ahead of any fire.
"It is impossible to prevent bushfires.
"All we can do it prepare for them, so that when the time comes we can respond in an appropriate, calm and planned way to avoid making bad decisions in that high stress environment.
"Part of that preparation is creating, discussing, and reviewing your Bushfire Survival Plan.
"Deciding what to do if bushfires are in your local area is not something you want to do at the last minute.
"Investing half an hour now in deciding what you will do, and when, and communicating that with your family increases your capacity to respond to, and survive, a bushfire event."
SOURCE:
Social media, 16 Jan 2024
Lindsay Boyd, Pearl Beach Brigade