New Fire Danger Rating

Fire Danger Ratings will be a feature of weather forecasts and alert you to the actions you should take in preparation for and on the day. It will be in newspapers, broadcast on radio, TV and on websites.

How will the Fire Danger Rating be determined?

Every day during the fire season the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasts an outlook of the fire danger index (FDI) by considering the predicted weather including: temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and dryness of vegetation.

When the FDI forecast is close to or above 50 at one or more weather stations, fire agencies will consult with the BoM to determine the Fire Danger Rating for that BoM weather district - Severe, Extreme or Code Red (catastrophic).

When determining the Fire Danger Rating, fire agencies will consider a range factors relating to that area and day such as duration of elevation of fire danger indices, extent of fire already in the landscape, fuel and dryness, likelihood of weather events such as lightning and grass fuel conditions.

If the FDI forecast for one or more weather stations is in excess of 100, fire agencies and the BoM will consult and work through a decision matrix to determine whether to declare a Code Red (catastrophic) day for that district. Code Red (catastrophic) days may involve more than one weather district and potentially the whole state. 

Last summer there were four days where a Fire Danger Rating of Code Red (catastrophic) may have been called for one or more weather districts.   Only one, the forecast for 7 February 2009, looks like it would now have been called a Fire Danger Rating of Code Red (catastrophic) for most of Victoria.

recommended actions for each fire danger rating

Code Red (Catastrophic)

If you live in a bushfire prone area and your Bushfire Survival Plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave the day before when conditions are declared Code Red (Catastrophic) or early in the morning.

• Leaving is the safest option for your survival if you live in a bushfire prone area – finalise your options for relocation.
• Activate your your Bushfire Survival Plan – Now .
• Prepare to leave – check your fire ready kit.
•  Monitor the weather and fire situation in any way you can: through CFA website, ABC or local radio, TV and newspapers.

Extreme                   

If you live in a bushfire prone area and your Bushfire Survival Plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave early in the day. Only stay if your home is well prepared, well constructed and you can actively defend it.

• Activate your Bushfire Survival Plan – Now.
• Prepare for the emotional, mental and physical impact of defending your property – if in doubt, leave.
• Monitor the weather and fire situation in any way you can: through CFA website, ABC or local radio, TV and newspapers

Severe

If you live in a bushfire prone area and your Bushfire Survival Plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave early in the day. Only stay if your home is well prepared, well constructed and you can actively defend it.

• Prepare for the emotional, mental and physical impact of defending your property – if in doubt, leave
• Only stay if your home is well prepared and you can actively defend it.
• Check your Bushfire Survival Plan – Now
• Monitor the weather and fire situation in any way you can: through CFA website, ABC or local radio, TV and newspapers

Very High              

If you live in a bushfire prone area and your Bushfire Survival Plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave at the beginning of the day.

• If you live in a bushfire prone area and you plan to leave; finalise your options and leave early on the day.
• Only stay if your home is well prepared and you can actively defend it.
• Check your Bushfire Survival Plan – Now
• Monitor the weather and fire situation in any way you can: through CFA website, ABC or local radio, TV and newspapers

High

Check your Bushfire Survival Plan

• Make sure your family and property are well prepared for the risk of bushfire.
• Review and practice your bushfire plan for different scenarios (eg kids at school/home, visitors).
• Know where to get more information – CFA website.

Low to moderate

Check your Bushfire Survival Plan.

• Make sure your family and property are well prepared for the risk of bushfire.
• Review and practice your bushfire plan for different scenarios (eg kids at school/home, visitors).
• Know where to get more information – CFA Website

For more stories on Bushfire Preparedness, click here.