New report has revealed the top five Tasmanian municipalities most at risk of bushfire

Tasmanians have been urged to write and practise a bushfire survival plan as a new report reveals the areas at the most risk from bushfires.

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TASMANIANS have been urged to reassess their bushfire survival plans as a new report reveals the top five council areas most at risk of bushfire.

Insurance company IAG — the parent company of NRMA and CGU — has announced Hobart, Glenorchy, Clarence, Kingborough and Huon Valley as the municipalities facing the highest bushfire risk based on the total sum of properties at risk.

Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Chris Arnol said any home near the bush was at risk of bushfire.

“Anyone who lives in or near the bush should make a bushfire survival plan that sets out what they will do to prepare their home for bushfire, and what they will do if a bushfire approaches their property,” he said.

“Writing and practising a bushfire survival plan will help people think through their actions logically, gives them something to refer to, and can help control fear and anxiety if a bushfire breaks out nearby.”

Tasmania Fire Service firefighters battle the Gell River fire in January last year. Picture: WARREN FREY/TASMANIA FIRE SERVICE

Mr Arnol said the plan should include:

• STEPS you are going to take to prepare your home for bushfire.
• IF you are planning to stay, the steps you are going to take to make sure you can defend your home safely.
• STEPS you are going to take to make sure you can leave early for a safe place — even if you had originally planned to stay.
• LIST of nearby safer places that you can escape to at short notice as a last resort if your plan fails.

IAG natural perils executive manager Mark Leplastrier said bushfire risk was increasing across the country due to higher temperatures, lower humidity and higher evaporation rates.

“It’s important that people understand the risks they face so they can make the right decisions about where they choose to live, how to reduce their risk, and how they prepare for a bushfire if they are in a high-risk area,” Mr Leplastrier said.

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