As of 1 September 2022, the Fire Danger Ratings have changed across Australia.
The new Fire Danger Ratings provide information so people in affected areas can take action to protect themselves and others in an appropriate and timely manner.
The higher the fire danger rating is, the more dangerous the conditions become and the greater the impact and risks will be if a fire starts in your area/district.
The new system uses better technology and research to determine fire danger ratings and was developed using feedback from one of Australia’s largest surveys of communities.
The new ratings are designed to be easier to understand and provides clearer advice about actions to take when a fire starts.
RATING INFORMATION BELOW
NO RATING
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
The system also introduces an ‘off’ level for days where no proactive action is required by the community. This does not mean that fires cannot happen, but that they are not likely to move or act in a way that threatens the safety of the community. This rating is the thin white wedge on the colour wheel sitting under ‘Moderate’.
MODERATE
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
Most fires can be controlled.
Plan and prepare.
Stay up to date and be ready to act if there is a fire.
HIGH
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
Fires can be dangerous.
Be ready to act.
There’s a heightened risk. Be alert for fires in your area.
Decide what you will do if a fire starts.
If a fire starts, your life and property may be at risk. The safest option is to avoid bushfire risk areas.
EXTREME
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
Fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous.
These are dangerous fire conditions.
Expect hot, dry, and windy conditions.
Take action now to protect your life and property.
Check your bushfire plan and that your property is fire ready.
If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.
Reconsider travel through bushfire risk areas.
Leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option.
CATASTROPHIC
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
If a fire starts and takes hold, lives are likely to be lost.
These are the most dangerous conditions for a fire.
For your survival, leave bushfire risk areas.
Your life may depend on the decisions you make, even before there is a fire.
For your survival, do not be in bushfire risk areas.
Stay safe by going to a safer location early in the morning or the night before.
Homes cannot withstand fires in these conditions. You may not be able to leave, and help may not be available.
NOTE: These ratings do not give individual plans for evacuation, these should be discussed and created to suit the individual’s property, area and needs.
information on this page has been sourced from VicEmergency and Country Fire Authority Victoria Webisites
NEW FIRE DANGER RATING SYSTEM
As of 1 September 2022, the Fire Danger Ratings have changed across Australia.
The new Fire Danger Ratings provide information so people in affected areas can take action to protect themselves and others in an appropriate and timely manner.
The higher the fire danger rating is, the more dangerous the conditions become and the greater the impact and risks will be if a fire starts in your area/district.
The new system uses better technology and research to determine fire danger ratings and was developed using feedback from one of Australia’s largest surveys of communities.
The new ratings are designed to be easier to understand and provides clearer advice about actions to take when a fire starts.
RATING INFORMATION BELOW
NO RATING
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
The system also introduces an ‘off’ level for days where no proactive action is required by the community. This does not mean that fires cannot happen, but that they are not likely to move or act in a way that threatens the safety of the community. This rating is the thin white wedge on the colour wheel sitting under ‘Moderate’.
MODERATE
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
Most fires can be controlled.
Plan and prepare.
Stay up to date and be ready to act if there is a fire.
HIGH
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
Fires can be dangerous.
Be ready to act.
There’s a heightened risk. Be alert for fires in your area.
Decide what you will do if a fire starts.
If a fire starts, your life and property may be at risk. The safest option is to avoid bushfire risk areas.
EXTREME
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
Fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous.
These are dangerous fire conditions.
Expect hot, dry, and windy conditions.
Take action now to protect your life and property.
Check your bushfire plan and that your property is fire ready.
If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.
Reconsider travel through bushfire risk areas.
Leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option.
CATASTROPHIC
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
WHAT SHOULD I DO
If a fire starts and takes hold, lives are likely to be lost.
These are the most dangerous conditions for a fire.
For your survival, leave bushfire risk areas.
Your life may depend on the decisions you make, even before there is a fire.
For your survival, do not be in bushfire risk areas.
Stay safe by going to a safer location early in the morning or the night before.
Homes cannot withstand fires in these conditions. You may not be able to leave, and help may not be available.
NOTE: These ratings do not give individual plans for evacuation, these should be discussed and created to suit the individual’s property, area and needs.
information on this page has been sourced from VicEmergency and Country Fire Authority Victoria Webisites