Ember Attack - Effect On Property

Effect On Property

If an ember lands on a particularly combustible object such as a housemat or a garden bush, or several such embers hit the house within a period of time (or even enter through a timber framed window), they may ignite parts of the house and eventually cause the entire house to burn down. Property owners often underestimate the danger of an ember attack even after the bushfire has passed.

Because embers can be carried away from a bushfire by the wind, they pose a threat to houses that one would intuitively assume are far enough away from the fire. Fire authorities advise vigilance by home owners before and after a fire front passes. Embers can ignite combustible materials outside the home. A danger also exists of embers entering the home, in particular the roof space, requiring occupants to inspect for signs of fire in the roof.

In Australia, evaporative air conditioners are known to ignite from ember attack. Ember attack causes the filter pads from evaporative AC to ignite, and the fire spreads through the roof space destroying the home. Ember Guards also known as Ash Screens are recommended to protect your aircon from Ember Attack.