Leaving early
Leaving early is the safest way to survive a bushfire. If you are
staying in a high-risk area and a Code Red day is forecast, the
safest option is to leave the night before or early the next day
and return only when it is clearly safe to do so (keep monitoring
If you are caught in a
fire
Bushfires can occur without warning, are unpredictable and can
quickly impact your holiday destination.
Emergency
information and
warnings
weather forecasts, warnings and signs of fire activity).
Find a place away from high-risk bushfire areas to relocate to
Shelter options
– for example a shopping complex, large shopping strip or the
If you cannot leave the area, consider shelter options close
central business district of a regional city.
by. This may include a well-prepared property that is actively
You will need to know the safest route to take and have an
alternative route in case a road is blocked or congested.
Code Red days are rare, but when they are forecast they are very
serious.
Township Protection
Plans
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has prepared Township Protection
For current fire warnings and updates
•
Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on
1800 240 667 (National Relay Service 1800 555 677)
defended or a designated community fire refuge.
•
Visit cfa.vic.gov.au
Whilst these survival options carry a high risk of trauma, injury or
•
Listen to the emergency broadcasters: ABC Local Radio,
commercial radio and designated community stations
•
Watch SKY NEWS television
•
Follow CFA_Updates on Twitter
death they may provide you with some protection from radiant
heat.
Last resort options
For road closures and traffic information
Last resort options include a Neighbourhood Safer Place (place
•
Call 13 11 70
of last resort), a stationary car in a cleared area, a ploughed
•
Visit vicroads.vic.gov.au
paddock or reserve or a body of water like a swimming pool or
dam.
Plans (TPPs) for a number of communities statewide that are
Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSP) are places of last resort when
deemed to be at risk of bushfire, including tourism destinations.
all other plans have failed. They can provide some protection
TPPs contain valuable local bushfire safety information including
from direct flame and radiant heat during a fire. NSPs may still be
bushfire risks and maps with key landmarks, routes and
subject to ember attack and they do not guarantee safety. NSPs
Neighbourhood Safer Places (places of last resort). Copies of the
are not relief centres – there are limited facilities and no support
relevant TPP may be available from the CFA website or the nearest
or services are provided. They are not places to relocate to when
accredited Visitor Information Centre.
leaving early. Not every town has a NSP – identify other shelter
Staying in
high-risk
bushfire areas
Safety tips for visitors
In an Emergency - Fire, Police, Ambulance
•
Call Triple Zero 000 (TTY 106):
• If you see smoke, flames or embers
• If fire is seriously threatening you
• If you are or another person is injured and needs an
ambulance
Do not call Triple Zero for information on bushfires. Only call
Triple Zero if you are in urgent need of emergency assistance
from police, fire or ambulance.
options in your area.
Don’t wait and see
It is extremely dangerous to leave after there are signs of fire
in the area. Once a fire is in the area in which you are staying,
it may become difficult to leave because road conditions will
be dangerous. A drive that will normally take five minutes may
take up to two hours in the event of a fire. You should not wait to
receive a warning to leave.
Front cover: Marriners Falls Cottages, Apollo Bay.
Radiant heat
Radiant heat is the heat that you feel from a fire. Radiant heat is
the biggest killer in a fire. The best protection from radiant heat is
distance.
Tourism Victoria acknowledges the assistance and advice of the Country Fire Authority
and the Fire Services Commissioner in the preparation of this publication. Tourism
Victoria does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the
use of such information or advice) which is provided in this publication or incorporated
into it by reference and disclaims any liability for any errors or for any loss or other
consequence, which may arise from any person relying on any information or advice.
You should seek further assistance if assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content
in your particular area or require details as to any current restrictions or bans on the
lighting of fire that might apply.
For fire updates call 1800 240 667 or visit cfa.vic.gov.au
Your bushfire safety
Fire Danger Ratings
Total Fire Bans
The warmer months are the perfect time to experience regional
Fire Danger Ratings predict fire behaviour should a fire start, and
A Total Fire Ban is a day where certain activities that may cause
Victoria. However, Victoria is fire-prone and bushfire risk is high.
how hard it will be to put out. The higher the Fire Danger Rating,
fire are banned. Total Fire Bans are declared by the Country Fire
If you are staying in an area that is heavily forested, has thick
the higher the risk. Fire Danger Ratings are issued according to
Authority (CFA) on days when fires are more likely to start, spread
bush or long, dry grass, or coastal areas with lots of plant life –
Victoria’s nine fire weather districts. To stay safe you need to be
rapidly and be difficult to control.
between November and April - you are at risk of fire. Follow these
aware of every fire district that you visit and its Fire Danger Rating
simple bushfire safety tips to ensure that your stay is safe and
– it is your trigger to act.
enjoyable.
•
•
•
Know the fire weather district of the destination in which
For every Fire Danger Rating there is clear advice on what you
•
•
Monitor local weather conditions and the daily Fire Danger
A Total Fire Ban day still allows the use of:
Rating for the district you are staying in.
Barbecues that are fixed appliances, fired by gas or electricity,
allowed provided that:
•
Watch for signs of fire such as smoke and emergency
•
These are the worst conditions for a bush or
grass fire. Holiday properties are not designed
or constructed to withstand fires in these
conditions. The safest place to be is away from
high-risk bushfire areas. Avoid forested areas,
thick bush or long, dry grass.
affected by smoke.
Seek information from locals. Ask about access routes,
Extreme
may be able to suggest alternative holiday activities on
high-risk days.
•
Obtain a copy of the local Township Protection Plan.
•
Plan carefully on Code Red days. If you are staying in a
Severe
high-risk area and a Code Red day is forecast, the safest
option is to leave the night before or early the next day and
return only when it is clearly safe to do so (keep monitoring
weather forecasts, warnings and signs of fire activity).
You have either a hose connected to water supply or a vessel
with at least 10 litres of water.
Carry hard copy maps. GPS or mobile phones might be
resort). Your host or the nearest accommodation provider
The area 3 metres around the barbecue is cleared of
flammable material.
Be prepared to change your plans on hot, dry and windy
local risk and any Neighbourhood Safer Places (places of last
The use of solid/ liquid fuel barbeques or ovens.
and built into permanent structures of brick, stone or concrete ARE
Check fire restrictions - for example, is a Total Fire Ban in
and it may be safer to visit larger regional cities.
•
Lighting or maintaining camp fires, incinerators, fires to burn
you are staying.
days. Parks and forests may be closed in these conditions
•
these districts:
off grass, weeds or other vegetation.
vehicles.
•
Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans are determined for each of
A Total Fire Ban day legally bans:
should do.
force?
•
Know your fire
weather districts
Very High, High
or Low Moderate
Expect extremely hot, dry and windy conditions.
If a fire starts and takes hold, it will be
uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving.
Reconsider plans to visit parks and forests.
The safest place to be is away from high-risk
bushfire areas.
Expect hot, dry and possibly windy conditions.
If a fire starts and takes hold, it may be
uncontrollable. Well prepared holiday properties
that are actively defended can provide safety. Be
prepared to change your plans.
If a fire starts, it can most likely be controlled
in these conditions. Check if any fire conditions
are in force. Be aware of how fires can start and
minimise the risk. Plan your activities carefully on
hot, dry and windy days.
•
An adult is there at all times when the fire is alight.
Gas or electric portable barbecues ARE allowed provided that:
•
Key tourism destinations
in fire weather districts
It is located within 20 metres of your dwelling (portable
places of residence such as mobile homes, caravans or tents
are not dwellings in accordance with the CFA Act).
•
Central
Dandenong Ranges, Southern Goldfields,
Mornington Penninsula, Phillip Island, Yarra
Valley, Great Ocean Road (East).
East Gippsland
Gippsland Lakes, Lakes Entrance
Mallee
The Murray (North)
North Central
Yarra Valley, Central Goldfields
Northern Country
Northern Goldfields, The Murray (Central)
North East
Great Alpine Road (West), Alpine Resorts
South West
Great Ocean Road (West), Twelve Apostles,
The Otways, Southern Grampians
West & South
Gippsland
Gippsland Lakes, Wilsons Promontory
Wimmera
Northern Grampians
The area 3 metres around the barbecue is cleared of
flammable material.
•
You have either a hose connected to a water supply or a
vessel with at least 10 litres of water.
•
An adult is there at all times when the fire is alight.
Where can I check the Fire Danger Rating and if
there is a Total Fire Ban?
•
•
•
•
1800 240 667 or cfa.vic.gov.au
Weather forecasts
Radio, television and some newspapers
Accredited Visitor Information Centres