New Fire Danger Ratings
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What to expect and what to do when fire breaks out when the following conditions are forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology
The National Bushfire Warnings Taskforce, established following the Victorian bushfires of February 2009, has developed a new fire danger ratings system for bushfires.
The purpose of the new system is to alert the community to forecast fire danger levels, and to guide people’s responses to forecast conditions, and when fires are burning.
A guide as to what to expect and what to when different fire danger ratings are forecast is included below.
During the bushfire season, fire danger ratings forecast for Tasmania will be available on the Bureau of Meteorology website, the Tasmania Fire Service website and on the weather page of Tasmania’s daily newspapers.
Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating (FDR >100)
Some fires breaking out today will spread rapidly and be uncontrollable. There is a high likelihood that people in the path of a fire will be killed or seriously injured. Many homes are very likely to be destroyed. Even the best prepared homes will not be safe today.
Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you should not plan to defend any home when the fire danger rating exceeds 100 (catastrophic), regardless of any preparations you have made, unless firefighters have assessed your home as defendable in the prevailing conditions.
If you live in or near bushland, the Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you prepare immediately to leave for a safe place. Leave if fire breaks out or is burning near you well before fire threatens your home.
Listen for warnings on ABC Radio or check the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au to find out where fires are burning. Power, water supplies and phones are likely to fail in a bushfire. If power fails, listen to fire updates on your car radio.
Frequently check conditions outside your home. If smoke is blowing towards you, a fire is approaching and you should leave immediately by a safe route, away from the fire. Don’t wait for an official warning. If ash or burning embers are landing in your yard, the fire is very close and it may be too late to leave. If this is the case, take shelter in your home. Fill your bath and all available containers with water, and actively defend your home by using the water to put out any parts of your home that catch fire. Alternatively and if time permits, go immediately to a nearby safe place.
Don’t expect a fire truck or other emergency workers at your home during the fire.
For more information, see 'catastrophic' section of table in Appendix 3 of Australia's Revised Arrangements for Bushfire Advice and Alerts
Extreme Fire Danger Rating (FDR 75-99)
Some fires breaking out today will spread rapidly and be uncontrollable. People in the path of a fire may be killed or seriously injured. Many homes are very likely to be destroyed. Only well-constructed, well-prepared and actively defended homes are likely to offer safety during a fire.
Unless your home has a defendable space and has been designed and built specifically to withstand a bushfire, you should not plan to defend it if the fire danger rating exceeds 75 (extreme), unless firefighters have assessed your home as defendable in the prevailing conditions.
If you live in or near bushland and don’t plan to defend your home, the Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you prepare immediately to leave for a safe place. Leave if fire breaks out or is burning near you and well before fire threatens your home.
Listen to ABC Radio or check the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au to find out where fires are burning. Power, water supplies and phones are likely to fail in a bushfire. If power fails, listen to fire updates on your car radio.
Frequently check conditions outside your home. If smoke is blowing towards you, a fire is approaching. If planning to leave, you should leave immediately by a safe route, away from the fire. Don’t wait for an official warning. If ash or burning embers are landing in your yard, the fire is very close and it may be too late to leave. If this is the case, take shelter in your home. Fill your bath and all available containers with water, and actively defend your home by using the water to put out any parts of your home that catch fire. Alternatively and if time permits, go immediately to a nearby safe place.
Don’t expect a fire truck or other emergency workers at your home during the fire.
For more information, see 'extreme' section of table in Appendix 3 of Australia's Revised Arrangements for Bushfire Advice and Alerts
Severe Fire Danger Rating (FDR 50-74)
Some fires breaking out today will spread rapidly and be uncontrollable. People in the path of a fire may be killed or seriously injured. Some homes are likely to be destroyed. However, well-prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during a fire.
Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you should not plan to defend your home when the fire danger rating exceeds 50 (severe), unless firefighters have assessed your home as defendable in the prevailing conditions.
If you live in or near bushland and don’t plan to defend your home, the Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you prepare to leave for a safe place. Leave well before fire threatens your home.
Listen to ABC Radio or check the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au to find out where fires are burning. Power, water supplies and phones are likely to fail in a bushfire. If power fails, listen to fire updates on your car radio.
Frequently check conditions outside your home. If smoke is blowing towards you, a fire is approaching. If planning to leave, you should leave immediately by a safe route, away from the fire. Don’t wait for an official warning. If ash or burning embers are landing in your yard, the fire is very close and it may be too late to leave. If this is the case, take shelter in your home. Fill your bath and all available containers with water, and actively defend your home by using the water to put out any parts of your home that catch fire. Alternatively and if time permits, go immediately to a nearby safe place.
Don’t expect a fire truck or other emergency workers at your home during the fire.
For more information, see 'severe' section of table in Appendix 3 of Australia's Revised Arrangements for Bushfire Advice and Alerts
Very High Fire Danger Rating (FDR 25-49)
Some fires breaking out today will spread rapidly and be difficult to control. There is a possibility that people in the path of a fire will be killed or seriously injured. Some homes may be destroyed. However, well-prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during a fire.
Unless you have created a defendable space around your home, Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you should not plan to defend it when the fire danger rating exceeds 25 (very high), unless firefighters have assessed your home as defendable in the prevailing conditions.
If you live in or near bushland and don’t plan to defend your home, the Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you prepare to leave for a safe place. Leave well before fire threatens your home.
Listen to ABC Radio or check the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au to find out where fires are burning. Power, water supplies and phones are likely to fail in a bushfire. If power fails, listen to fire updates on your car radio.
Frequently check conditions outside your home. If smoke is blowing towards you, a fire is approaching. If planning to leave, you should leave immediately by a safe route, away from the fire. Don’t wait for an official warning. If ash or burning embers are landing in your yard, the fire is very close and it may be too late to leave. If this is the case, take shelter in your home. Fill your bath and all available containers with water, and actively defend your home by using the water to put out any parts that catch fire. Alternatively and if time permits, go immediately to a nearby safe place.
Don’t expect a fire truck or other emergency workers at your home during the fire.
For more information, see 'very high' section of table in Appendix 3 of Australia's Revised Arrangements for Bushfire Advice and Alerts
High Fire Danger Rating (FDR 12-24)
Fires breaking out today can be controlled. People in the path of a fire are unlikely to be killed or seriously injured if they take shelter. Well-prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during a fire.
Unless you have created a defendable space around your home, Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you should not plan to defend it when the fire danger rating exceeds 25 (very high), unless firefighters have assessed your home as defendable in the prevailing conditions.
If you live in or near bushland and don’t plan to defend your home, the Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you prepare to leave for a safe place. Leave well before fire threatens your home.
Monitor the fire situation on ABC Radio or the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au . Power and water supplies and phones may fail in a bushfire. If power fails, listen to fire updates on your car radio.
Frequently check conditions outside your home. If smoke is blowing towards you, a fire is approaching and if planning to leave, you should leave immediately by a safe route, away from the fire.
For more information, see 'high' section of table in Appendix 3 of Australia's Revised Arrangements for Bushfire Advice and Alerts
Low - Moderate Fire Danger Rating (FDR 0-11)
Fires breaking out today can be controlled easily. There is little risk to people and property.
Make sure you, your family and your property are well-prepared for the risk of bushfire.
For more information, see 'low-moderate' section of table in Appendix 3 of Australia's Revised Arrangements for Bushfire Advice and Alerts
