General News
1 September, 2022
New national fire danger rating system now in effect
A new national fire danger rating system came into effect this week, and residents are being encouraged to get familiar with it. September 1 marked the launch of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, used to indicate day-to-day fire danger in...
A new national fire danger rating system came into effect this week, and residents are being encouraged to get familiar with it.
September 1 marked the launch of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, used to indicate day-to-day fire danger in local areas.
The new system will be used in every state and territory across Australia and is designed to give more accurate readings than the previous system, which was more than 60 years old.
The system now has four levels:
• Moderate — plan and prepare
• High — be ready to act
• Extreme — take action now to protect life and property
• Catastrophic — for your survival, leave bushfire risk areas.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the new system uses improved science and a wider range of fire behaviour models.
“This is a major change to the way fire danger ratings will be calculated and communicated to our Victorian communities,” he said.
“The new system will measure local fire danger using improved science and a wider range of fire behaviour models to better represent the variety of Australian vegetation.”
To find out more about the new system visit www.cfa.vic.gov. au/warnings-restrictions/total-fire-bans-and-ratings/about-fire-danger-ratings