Bushfire clean-up advice

Staying safe during bushfire clean up

If a bushfire has damaged your home, you'll be eager to start cleaning up as soon as possible. Before you begin, it's important to assess your home for hazards and make the property safe.

• Burnt buildings and other structures may be weakened or unstable.
• Electrical, water and gas hazards may exist.
• Sewerage services may be disrupted.
• Hot coals and other hazardous materials may be under rubble.

Learn more about returning home safely after a bushfire.

Wear protective clothing and equipment

When it's safe to enter a property, wear protective clothing and equipment, including:

• sturdy footwear and heavy-duty work gloves
• protective overalls, long sleeves and trousers
• a P2/N95 face mask.

Dispose of gloves, overalls and face masks safely when leaving the property. Wash your hands or shower regularly after removing contaminated items. Clean your shoes before you wear them again.

Information for landlords and tenants

If you own a property

If you own a property, you are more likely to be responsible for clean up and repairs. Take photos and document any damage.

If you live in a strata managed property, such as an apartment block, strata may be responsible for some of the repairs.

Read about who's responsible for repairs and maintenance for strata property.

If you rent a property

Contact your landlord or real estate agent if you rent and there is damage to the property. Take photos and document any damage.

Both tenants and landlords have certain rights and responsibilities when properties are affected by natural disasters.

Learn more about landlord and tenant rights.

Beware of hazardous materials

Hazardous materials that may be present after a bushfire include:

• unstable structures
• ash from treated timbers
• dust
• asbestos
• medicines
• chemicals
• metals and other remains of appliances
• LP gas bottles.

Find out more about returning home safely after a bushfire.

Hazard Identification Notice

If your property has a 'Hazard Identification Notice' placed on it contact Public Works Advisory on 1800 885 539.

If you are insured, contact your insurer as early as possible for advice. They will generally have experts available for demolition and clean up involving hazardous materials.

Dealing with asbestos

Asbestos is in many houses and buildings, usually in the form of flat or corrugated sheets (fibro) used for walls, ceilings and roofing.

It can also be in pipes, electrical conduit, eaves or the backing under vinyl flooring.

A licensed asbestos removalist is the best way to remove asbestos. You can look up and verify NSW licensing information for asbestos and demolition providers at Service NSW.

Asbestos materials are less of a risk when they are wet.

If you have to remove asbestos debris, and a licensed removalist is not an option, you should follow these steps at minimum:

• Wear gloves and a P2 mask.
• Wear protective overalls or a shirt with long sleeves and trousers.
• Pick up (don’t sweep) the pieces of asbestos and place in a thick plastic bag. When finished, dispose of the gloves and face mask in the same bag.
• Knot the top of the plastic bag and place it into a second empty plastic bag and knot the top.
• Label the bag as asbestos.
• Wash and clean hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Wash clothes and shoes before wearing again.

Read more on managing asbestos in emergencies and disasters.

Dealing with timber ash

Ash from timber treated with copper chrome arsenic (CCA) may be harmful. Examples of CCA-treated timber include:

• telegraph poles
• fence palings
• landscaping timber.

Don't spread ash on your property. Take these precautions when cleaning ash:

• Wear protective clothing including gloves and a P2 mask.
• Reduce ash from being blown around by keeping it wet. Don't use a high-pressure water spray.
• Use a shovel to pick up ash, don't sweep or wash it away.
• Seal it in a plastic bag.
• Wash and clean hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Wash clothes and shoes before wearing again.

Do not put CCA-timber ash in your garden or organics bin.

Small amounts of CCA-treated timber ash can be sealed in a plastic bag and disposed of at your local waste facility.

Contact your local council for advice on where to dispose larger amounts of CCA-timber ash and specific requirements for transport and handling.

Food safety after a bushfire

The heat from a fire can cause bacteria in food to multiply and grow.

All perishable and non-perishable foods that have been fire-damaged or impacted by heat should be thrown out, even if they appear unspoiled. This includes food in:

• cans, jars and bottles
• cardboard
• plastic.

Power outages can leave refrigerated foods unsafe to eat. It's important to dispose of refrigerated food after a fire.

The NSW Food Authority has more tips and advice on food safety.

If you operate a food business that has been damaged by bushfire, contact your local council for further advice and support.

Waste removal

Separate your waste to speed up removal into:

• food waste – use your red lid bin first; if the bin is full, put food waste in a container
• hard bulk waste (furniture, carpets, mattresses)
• green waste (vegetation)
• scrap metal (whitegoods and e-waste)
• hazardous materials (gas bottles, paint, pool chemicals, unlabelled drums).

Waste levies and safe disposal options

Clean-up support from local councils and state government authorities is usually available for residential and business properties.

Local councils can help direct residents to dispose of rubbish and other waste. Find your local council's contact details.

Residents may be able to take household items to their local landfill. The waste levy is usually waived in local government areas subject to natural disaster declaration.

Check your local landfill websites for opening hours and whether there are special requirements for disposing of fire-damaged waste.

You may wish to bag and safely store chemical or hazardous waste on your property to be disposed of safely later on.

Problem household waste like fluorescent lights, smoke detectors, paint, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, batteries and oils can be taken to Community Recycling Centres for safe disposal.

Dealing with chemical waste after bushfires

Household and industrial chemicals can cause serious hazards and put people and the environment at risk.

Personal protective equipment, particularly gloves, should be used when handling and disposing of chemicals.

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority runs Household Chemical Cleanout events to safely dispose of dangerous household chemicals.

If you see any significant pollution or debris, or another incident with potentially serious environmental impacts, contact the Environment Line on 131 555 or info@epa.nsw.gov.au

Find out more about handling waste and hazardous materials including asbestos.

Cleaning your home after a bushfire

Ventilate your property to reduce the smell of smoke. Open doors and windows to let in air and sunlight.

Wash all indoor surfaces with soap or detergent and water. For stubborn smoke and soot, mix:

• 4 litres of water
• 1 cup of household bleach
• 5 teaspoons of washing powder.

Be sure to wear gloves when using bleach and follow the safety directions on the container.

Wash cooking items and utensils with detergent and hot water. A polishing agent can also be used to remove stains on utensils. Utensils exposed to fire-fighting chemicals should be:

• washed in soapy hot water
• sanitised in 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach per 2 litres of hot water
• rinsed.

Dispose of any medicines, make-up and similar items that have been affected by heat, smoke, soot or fire retardants. Harmful chemicals can be ingested or absorbed through skin.

Air soft furnishings outside, including:

• upholstered furniture
• bedding and mattresses
• curtains.

It is very difficult to remove the smell of smoke out of some items including foam and feather pillows.

Washing clothing affected by a bushfire

Clothing that has been affected by a bushfire can be washed normally and dried outside.

If clothes remain stained or smell of smoke, try a mix of:

• 4 litres of water
• 1 cup of household bleach
• 5 teaspoons of washing powder.

Rinse clothes with clean water and dry well. Take care as this mix will bleach clothes. Remember to wear gloves when using bleach and follow the safety directions.

Clothes that were hanging outside during a bushfire should be washed to remove soot, dust and ash.

Swimming pools

After a bushfire, your pool may contain debris including ash. This may contaminate the water. Depending on the water quality, you may need to empty, clean and refill your pool.

Cover your pool to prevent mosquitos from breeding in the water until you are ready to reinstate it.

Read more about what to do if your residential pool has been affected by a bushfire.

Damaged fences

Damaged fences can create a public safety hazard.

If you’re regional landowner, call the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

If you’re a primary producer and your fencing has been damaged you may be eligible for support through Special Disaster Grants. Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority for more details on 1800 678 593.

BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that helps to rebuild fences and other structures damaged or destroyed in bushfire.

Read more on grants, funding and other financial support in NSW.

Disposing of animal carcasses

If you intend to dispose of animal carcasses, it's important to note:

• Onsite burial is the preferred option in most instances. Where there are large mortalities or where onsite issues, including size, soil type or water table, are problematic, disposal through a licensed landfill is usually the next option.
• Improper carcass disposal can have significant impacts on environmental, human and animal health. Careful planning and management of disposal is important. This is to ensure the safety of the community, other stock and the environment to minimise the risk of disease spread.
• Carcass disposal should occur as soon as possible after the animal has died.
• Animal owners and managers are legally responsible to make sure that disposal of carcasses does not adversely affect the environment.

Find out more about disposing of deceased livestock or call the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

You can also call Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.

Cleaning up waterways

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) cleans up shorelines and rivers. For assistance with cleaning up pollution on a local beach or waterway, contact the Environment Line on 131 555 or email info@epa.nsw.gov.au