With the El Nino weather pattern likely to affect Australia in 2020, concerns about bush fire risk will continue to intensify.

While many choose to leave areas that are under the threat of fire, others choose to stay. To leave early is often the best course of action, however many feel compelled to stay and defend their properties. Others at times have no choice but to stay and take shelter.

We make no recommendation as to what you should do or not do in your circumstances, or whether a bunker will or will not be suitable or appropriate to your circumstances. We do however provide general information about bunkers for entertainment purposes only.

The video below is informative and discusses some of the risks and issues involved. If a private bushfire shelter or bunker is built, it must comply with the various laws and regulations relating to such a structure. Some (but not all) of these (for Victoria) are discussed here.

Accreditation is a must and is a good starting point in selecting a bunker.