Australian bushfires: Useful contacts and resources

WARNINGS AND ASSISTANCE

New South Wales

NSW Rural Fire Service has a live map of all fires.

• A list of evacuation centres is here.

Victoria

VIC Emergency has a live map of all incidents and warnings, and you can also download the VIC Emergency app to your phone.

• Key emergency information and hotlines are here.
• A list of relief centres is here.

South Australia

SA Country Fire Service has a live map of bushfire conditions

• Their Bushfire Information Hotline is 1800 362 361.

WILDLIFE

New South Wales

• WIRES has a list of advice for helping wildlife during bushfires, such as leaving out bowls of water or keeping a cardboard box and towel in your car.
• If you find injured or trapped wildlife, please call WIRES on 1300 094 737.

Victoria

• The Victoria DELWP has an injured wildlife tool, helping you to contact the most relevant shelter or service.
• If you find a sick of injured native animal, call DELWP Wildlife Emergency on 136 186.

South Australia

Fauna Rescue SA has 24-hour hotline for injured wildlife on (08) 8289 0896

• For koalas call 1300 KOALAS (1300 562 527)
• For bats call 0475 132 093

PETS AND FARM ANIMALS

• To make preparations for your pets in the event of a bushfire, we have created a checklist of items to include in a Pet Disaster Plan. Download it for free for your dog, cat, horse or small animal at protectyourpet.org.au.

New South Wales

• If your farm animals has been affected in the fires, contact the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647 - You can also use the hotline to request or collect emergency fodder.
• Animal safe facilities are available for people who need to relocate their animals, including specialised large and small animal facilities.

Victoria

• For issues concerning wandering or inadequately confined farm animals call your local council. Find yours here.
• Landholders who need emergency fodder and those who want to donate it should call the Victorian Farmers Federation on 1300 882 833.

South Australia

• If you are a farm animals owner seeking assistance with injured or burnt animals contact the PIRSA bushfire hotline on 1800 255 556.
• Farm animal producers requiring fodder, or those wishing to donate can call Livestock SA on 8297 2299.

HEALTH

• Information on air quality and health messages for NSW, VIC and SA.
• Access mental health support through Lifeline’s 24-hour counselling service on 13 11 14. They have tool kits for people recovering after a natural disaster.

HOUSING

• Emergency housing is available for those directly affected by bushfires through the Airbnb Open Homes program.

CLAIMING ASSISTANCE

• For disaster welfare assistance, such as shelter, food or water please call 1800 018 444.
• If you’ve been affected by the bushfires and need to claim assistance, please call: 180 22 66. More information here.

VOLUNTEER

• If you are in a fire-impacted community please ensure the needs of yourself, your family, neighbours and community are met and follow the direction of local authorities. 
• Conservation Volunteers Australia has been selected to coordinate the national environmental volunteering response to the bushfire crisis. Visit their website to apply to volunteer for bushfire response and recovery.
• If you are a qualified veterinarian, please contact Vets Beyond Borders.
   

(Image Credit: Peter Tremain)