Know fire danger ratings and bush fire warnings and alert levels
Don’t rely on anyone sending you a warning – it is up to you to check weather conditions and current warnings. Knowing these is key to your survival.
Fire Danger Ratings are used on days when there’s a risk of fires and you need to take action. The higher the fire danger, the more dangerous the conditions and the greater the consequences if a fire starts.
On 1 September 2022, Australia has moved to a simplified, action-oriented fire danger rating system. You might have noticed new fire danger rating signs popping up in prominent locations when driving around the Shire.
The Australian Fire Danger Rating System uses four easy to recognise rating levels, each with a message to encourage you to take action to protect yourself and others in the face of bush fire risk.
Australian Fire Danger Ratings (AFDRS) Levels
MODERATE | HIGH | EXTREME | CATASTROPHIC |
Plan and prepare.Most fires can be controlled. | Be ready to act.Fires can be dangerous. | Take action nowto protect your life and property. Fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous. | For your survival, leave bush fire risk areasIf a fire starts and takes hold, lives are likely to be lost. |
| Stay up to date and be ready to act if there is a fire | There’s a heightened risk. Be alert for fires in your area. Decide what you will do if a fire starts. If a fire starts, your life and property may be at risk. The safest option is to avoid bush fire risk areas. | These are dangerous fire conditions. Check your bush fire plan and ensure that your property is fire ready. If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts. Reconsider travel through bush fire risk areas. | These are the most dangerous conditions for a fire. Your life may depend on the decisions you make, even before there is a fire. Stay safe by going to a safer location early in the morning or the night before. Homes cannot withstand fires in these conditions. You may not be able to leave, and help may not be available. |
Remember: Fires can start suddenly, and weather conditions can change quickly. Keep an eye out on fire danger rating in Hornsby LGA here.
Download the Fire Danger Ratings Fact Sheet as a helpful reminder about the fire danger ratings and what you need to do to stay safe in your home or community.
The Australian Warning System is a new national approach to information and warnings during emergencies so if you are travelling around the country the warnings will be consistently presented and easy to understand.
During a bush fire, Alert Levels may be used to give you an indication of the level of threat from a fire.
These alerts may be used on social media, emergency app (like Hazards Near Me), radio, television, the RFS website and in some cases you may receive an Emergency Alert text message or phone call. Emergency Apps.
Other fires may start so quickly that there will be no time for any warning at all, so don’t wait for a warning – take action based on your personal circumstance.
Remember, leaving early is recommended as the safest option to protect you and your family’s lives. Anyone not staying to actively defend the property should leave early.
If you receive a Bush fire Alert, you must take it seriously. Failure to take action can result in death or injury to you or your family members.
RFS Emergency Bush fire Information and Alert Levels Factsheets