Why a Wet Winter Adds to Bushfire Risks and What To Do

Be alert to the long-range climate and weather forecasts for the region where your business is located.

Thanks to the dryness of the Top End, above-normal bushfire risk is happening a few months early, according to the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council.

Meanwhile, the ACT, as well as parts of NSW and Queensland will experience above-average rainfall. Even though this will increase fuel loads, the soil moisture levels mean the fire potential is below normal.

However, the council maintains that across most of Australia, a normal bushfire potential will be on the cards for winter.

A global perspective

A United Nations report says climate change and land-use changes are expected to see the frequency and intensity of extreme fires increase by 14% in eight years, 30% by the end of 2050 and 50% by 2100.

Governments are not well prepared to deal with that, says the report, Spreading like Wildfire: The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscape Fires.

What has changed?

More locally, the most recent Australia State of the Environment Report – released last month – says the “frequency and intensity of extreme weather-related events are changing”. It reveals extended fire seasons, with NSW’s extending to almost eight months of the year, says The Conversation’s article about the report.

CSIRO research describes climate change as the key factor driving fire activity. Since 2000, three mega-fire years have led to the loss of one-million-plus hectares of the Australian bush. That’s four times the size of the UK.

Higher bushfire risks may lead to temporary disruption, snags in supply chains, higher insurance and other costs, dampened consumer spending, increased homelessness and travel disruption. As well, your staff may not be able to get to your work site or could damage their health through excessive smoke inhalation.

Steps to prepare your business for bushfire

Here’s an overview of how to tackle a bushfire’s impact on your small business, before, during and after the event:

  • Create a plan that identifies your risks and your response, such as for evacuation, and pack an emergency kit

  • Review your finances, policies and insurances to ensure adequate coverage

  • Check your premises to clear excess vegetation and combustible items

  • Back up your data

  • Plan for alternatives such as when power blackouts, road closures, or disrupted deliveries occur

  • Keep informed by listening to emergency alerts so you can follow advice and directions for evacuation

  • Assess if it’s safe to return to your premises, and if so, photograph the damage and get in touch with us, as well as contact your financial institution

  • Communicate with staff, clients, customers, guests, and the community about your changed operations, and think about marketing strategies to rebuild loyalty

  • Seek out grants and other business support

  • Debrief so you can improve your disaster and business continuity plan for next time.

Have the right insurance

Businesses can also improve their risk management with customised business interruption insurance. It offers support during and after a disaster, so your business gets the much-needed cash flow to pay rent, wages and other outgoings. Ideally, the coverage should include weekly payments.

For example, this could trigger a ‘prevention of access’ clause in the policy: when authorities close roads so customers can’t access your business premises.

While you can’t control the weather’s risks to your business operations, you can minimise and manage its effects with forethought.

AB Phillips, Insurance, ClaimsTerrence Ignacio