Australia is prone to bushfire, which can mean considerable danger to lives and property.
Fire danger ratings predict and explain the potential level of danger, if a bushfire was to start.
It's important that you understand the fire danger rating, how to prepare and what to do in the event of a fire.
Declared fire season and total fire ban days
Fire restrictions vary throughout the year depending on whether it is a declared fire season or a total fire ban day.
Total fire bans are declared by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) on days where the fire danger is heightened to reduce risk of a fire starting. To learn more about total fire ban days, visit the CFA website.
Find out what you can and can’t do during the declared fire danger period, and on days of total fire ban, when fires in the open air are legally restricted.
Visit the Can I or Can't I page on CFA website
Australian fire danger rating
Australia's fire danger rating system has been improved and simplified to make it easier for you to make decisions to stay safe on days of fire danger risk.
Across the country, fire and emergency services apply nationally consistent colours, signs and terminology.
This means that wherever you go in Australia, and whatever the season or bushfire fuels you're surrounded by, you can understand the level of threat and what you need to do to stay safe.
For more information visit the Australian fire danger rating website.
Know your district - fire danger ratings
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) have created a fire danger guide, which shows the different districts across the state of Victoria.
This guide also explains what each colour on the fire danger rating chart means and what to do.
View the know your district guide(PDF, 215KB)
Neighbourhood safer places
A 'Neighbourhood Safer Place' (NSP), also known as a 'Bushfire Place Last Resort' (BPLR) is a place of last resort when all other bushfire plans have failed.
Find out more information on the Country Fire Authority (CFA) website.
Information about bushfire risk for residents(PDF, 374KB)
If you live on the urban fringe, especially in newer developments, you may be near grasslands, parks or paddocks, making you more vulnerable to grassfires. These areas can ignite and spread rapidly on hot, dry and windy days.
The CFA have a “two streets back” guideline. If you live next to grassland and a grassfire starts, walk at least two streets back from the fire. If you live two or three streets away from grassland and a grassfire starts, stay indoors and monitor the conditions – grassfires are unlikely to spread into built-up areas.
Never drive if you can see smoke and fire. Thick smoke can impair visibility and obstruct emergency vehicles.
Stay informed about conditions and monitor any fires in your area. You can do this by:
- checking your fire danger rating every day and knowing if there is a total fire ban
- checking for warnings
- downloading the VicEmergency App.
To learn more about preparing for grassfire risks in urban settings, visit the CFA's official page on grassfires near cities and towns.
Fires can happen inside and outside the home and it is important to know how to prepare.
Watch the following video to understand how to prepare for grassfires, bushfires and house fires and what to do during a fire.