The speed, sound and smell alone is monstrous, let alone its destructive nature. While in small doses, and used for regeneration purposes, fire has an important role in our ecology, but it can so easily get out of hand.

The Tasmanian Fire Service is at the forefront of fire emergency response, and firefighters from across the state see the devastating impacts regularly.

However, due to its volatile nature, the goalposts of how to fight fire are changing - due to climate change.

Whether you believe climate change is a result of human activity or not, firefighters on the front line tell us repeatedly that the fire season has changed - it is hitting us earlier and is staying for longer.

In Tasmania, it is not unusual now for fire seasons to start in October, which is why bushfire preparedness events hosted by the TFS have been held this week in Launceston. With October only a week and a few days away, it is time to start thinking - do you have a bushfire emergency evacuation plan? Do you have an evacuation plan if a fire engulfed your home?

While we will not be able to prevent a bushfire completely, the best way to combat it is to be prepared. The TFS has some easy steps to prepare for a fire event, which include preparing your home by cleaning gutters of leaf litter and preparing paths for firefighters to access the home or water during the event of a fire.

While the best course of action is to leave early, there are also steps you need to take to look after your friends, neighbours and family and to make provision for animals, including livestock and pets.

It is everyone's responsibility to be as prepared and informed as possible, so if the worst happens, at least there is a plan in place to follow and limit any injuries or fatalities. That is not to say that accidents won't happen, but preparedness is key to minimising the impact.

Bushfires are part of our lives in Tasmania, but we shouldn't wait until the official beginning of summer to think about how we will prepare, let's start thinking now.