02/09/2026
Spring 2026 bushfire outlook: risk is up in 7 states and territories.
The Bureau of Meteorology and AFAC have released their spring outlook, and it's not good news for a lot of us. Northern and southeastern NSW (that's us, Central Coast included), southeast Queensland, northeastern Tasmania, parts of WA, SA and Victoria, and large parts of the NT are all facing higher bushfire risk this season.
Dry soil and low rainfall are driving it in the east. Heavy fuel loads are driving it in the north and centre. And AFAC's warning is worth repeating: fires can still happen in "normal risk" areas too, so don't switch off just because your postcode isn't on the list.
Here's the thing the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission found. 113 of the 173 people who died were inside houses. Most had left the decision, stay or go, too late. The single biggest factor in surviving a bushfire isn't what's in your cupboard. It's the decision you made before the smoke showed up.
So before anything else, two free things worth five minutes each:
π Check your local hazard risk: tools.survivalstorehouse.com/my-area.html
π Build a written emergency plan: tools.survivalstorehouse.com/plan_builder.html
We're a kit business and we'll say it straight: kit is fourth on the list, behind information, a decision, and a connected community. Get those right and kit just backs up a plan you've already made.
If yours does need restocking before the season turns, we've got 5% off everything in the shop this month with the code spring2026: survivalstorehouse.com/shop-1
Stay ready.