Weather Information

Bushfire Information

Prepare. Act. Survive

Victoria has adopted the new nationally agreed Fire Danger Rating scale to help communities understand information about fire danger. This new scale recognises the significant increase in severe bushfire conditions over the past decade and the subsequent greater level of danger to the community, as experienced on Saturday 7 February 2009.

Fire Danger
Every day during the fire season the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasts an outlook of the fire danger index (FDI) by considering elements of the predicted weather including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and dryness of vegetation. When determining the Fire Danger Rating, fire agencies, in consultation with the BoM, consider a range of other factors relating to that area and day.

Fire Danger Rating (FDR)
A Fire Danger Rating is a prediction of fire behaviour, including how hard it would be to put out a fire once it starts. It provides information on:
The sort of bushfire behaviour that could be experienced on that day
The type of threat bushfires may pose to life and property on any day given the forecast weather conditions. 

The new Fire Danger Rating Barometer will alert you to danger so you can take action.

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.

To find out more information on how to be Fire Ready contact the Victorian Bushfire Information line 1800 240 667 or visit the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au