How an ember reaches a gutter
The CFA describes embers as small pieces of burning twigs, leaves and debris. Landing on dry grass, leaves, mulch or timber, they can start spot fires. Wind carries them far ahead of the fire: around 10 kilometres is a normal distance, and on Black Saturday in 2009 they were carried up to 30 kilometres.
The CFA says embers reach a home well before the flames arrive, and that ember attack is the most common way houses catch fire. When embers land, they often start fires where leaves naturally gather, “like in gutters, doorways, and garden beds.”
“Leaving early is always your safest option.”
Preparing a property does not change that. The NSW RFS says preparation still counts for those who plan to leave early: the better prepared a home is, the better its chance of surviving a bush fire or ember attack.
What each service asks of a gutter
Three official lists, side by side, each in its own words. The NSW RFS and the CFA are fire services; the QBCC is Queensland’s building regulator, and its list sits in its home owners’ advice on preparing for natural disasters.
| Topic | NSW Rural Fire Service | CFA (Victoria) | QBCC (Queensland) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The gutter itself | Clean your gutters of leaves and twigs. | Remove leaves from gutters; clear gutters by removing leaves, twigs and rubbish. Keep gutters clear of any leaves or twigs during the warmer months, especially after windy days. | Clear leaves, twigs, bark and other debris from the roof and gutters. |
| Guards and plugs | Install metal gutter guards. | Not mentioned on the pages checked for this guide. | Purchase and test the effectiveness of gutter plugs. |
| Trees and branches | Cut back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings. | Cut back branches overhanging the house, and keep branches 10 m clear of buildings. | Trim low-lying branches 2 metres from the ground surrounding your home. |
| Sprinklers | Attach a fire sprinkler system to gutters. | Bushfire sprinklers can be effective but have limitations; sarking or gap sealing can be more effective, and owners should always seek professional advice on choosing and installing one. | Not mentioned on the page checked for this guide. |
| The roof around it | Repair damaged or missing tiles on the roof. | Seal all gaps, vents and roof spaces. | Seal all gaps in external roof and wall cladding. |
| Rainwater tanks | Where a property has a pool, tank or dam, a Static Water Supply sign at its entrance tells firefighters where they can get water. | Not mentioned on the pages checked for this guide. | Disconnect the tank from the roof supply pipes, cover its inlets, and clear excess debris from around it. |
When to do it
The CFA puts gutter clearing on its early spring list: jobs to finish before bushfire season begins and before the Fire Danger Period is declared. It notes that in Victoria the Fire Danger Period can start as early as October. Its home improvements page adds that gutters should be kept clear of leaves and twigs through the warmer months, especially after windy days.
It also suggests making a schedule and deciding who will do each task, and says you might want to hire help or ask family, friends and neighbours to assist.
Clearing a gutter is work at height. The guide to ladders, roofs and gutters sets out what SafeWork NSW and Safe Work Australia say about ladders, step by step.
More from the guide
- Signs a gutter needs repairWhat can be seen from the ground, and what official sources say about it.
- Ladders, roofs and guttersWhat the work health and safety regulators say about ladders and roof edges.
- Who can do roof plumbing workLicences for gutter and roof drainage work in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
- Where downpipe water may goStormwater, the sewer, tanks, and the pipes an owner looks after.
- Box gutters, and why they failWhat a box gutter is, and the Victorian regulator’s rules for one.