Home > Get Ready Challenge > Stage One > Location, Location, Location
Knowing the location and direction of a bushfire – and where it is likely to impact – is vital to the decisions that you will make in your bushfire preparations. A few elementary map reading skills will help you make safe decisions about where and when to go.
Before we get out the maps, a quick word about where to turn to for reliable fire information.
Where to find fire info
When there’s a fire you’ll need up-to-date information. Reliable sources include:
- The RFS Fires Near Me page
- The Hazards Near Me app (free from your device’s App Store)
- Live Traffic website or app for road closure information
- Official social media feeds, such as your friendly neighbourhood bush fire brigade
- ABC Radio Sydney – (grab yourself a battery operated radio and tune to 702AM)
- Beware of sensationalist coverage from commercial news and social media.
Wind direction and fire travel
First let’s brush up on some basic weather knowledge.
News reports usually describe fire location and wind using compass points:
“The fire is 10 kilometres south-west of Katoomba with a south-westerly wind behind it.”
Did you know that this means the fire and embers are being blown towards Katoomba?
Some basics to remember:
- Wind names tell you where it’s coming from. A “westerly” blows in from the west!
- On summer afternoons a strong southerly change blows cooler air in from the south. (You’ve totally got this.)
- In eastern Australia, easterly winds tend to bring cooler and humid weather
- North-westerlies blow in from the inland desert and are hot and dry
Long story short, if the news says there’s a fire 15 km northwest of you and the wind is a northwesterly, it’s time to start thinking about leaving.
Challenge task: find North from your place
Here’s a 10-second trick you can use to find north. Let’s head outside where you have a clear view of the sky.
- Point your right arm towards sunrise (east).
- Point your left arm to sunset (west).
- Look straight ahead – you’re now facing north.
- Northwest is halfway between your left fingertip and nose.
Not perfect, but close enough to help you get your bearings (plus, free upper-body workout – you can thank us later).
For more precise calibration, your phone may have a compass app – check it out. Or if you love gadgets this is the perfect excuse to buy yourself a compass.
Task 2: Find your house on a map
Open Google Maps, or grab a local topographic map. First you’ll need to make sure the map is orientated properly.
- On paper maps, north will usually be at the top (unless your cartographer was a drunken pirate)
- On Google Maps, north is at the top when you first open it. Tap the compass button to reset if it rotates.
- Quick orientation check: Sydney should be on the right, Lithgow on the left. If that’s true, your map is the right way up.
Now centre the map on your house:
- Look directly above your house on the map – that’s north of you.
- Diagonally up and to the left is northwest.
Once you know this, news updates make more sense. Example: If you’re in north Katoomba and a fire is in Blackheath with a north-westerly wind, you can expect smoke and embers to be heading your way.
Bonus points
On your map, try locating:
- Your nearest cross street
- The local shops
- An open space (park or oval)
- The closest access point to the Great Western Highway
Double bonus
Repeat this exercise for any other places you might be during a fire: work, school, or a relative’s home.
And that’s it — you’ve now got the basics of map reading and direction. Next time you hear a fire update, you’ll be better equipped to act quickly and safely.