New national Fire Danger Ratings system

Published on Thursday, 1 September 2022 at 11:51:03 AM

The Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) Program is a national project working to design and implement a new fire danger rating system.

The AFDRS went live across Australia on 1 September 2022, combining the latest science to improve fire danger forecasting and strengthen how fire authorities communicate bushfire danger to improve community safety.  

Across Australia, the new fire danger ratings will be displayed in a consistent way, including using the same roadside signage design.

There will be four levels with action-oriented messages to encourage people to take action to protect themselves and others in the face of bushfire risks. It will also feature an ‘off’ level for days where no proactive action is required.  

The new design has been informed by one of Australia’s largest community surveys together with extensive focus groups, which showed that a majority of Australians want a simplified system.  

Fire Danger Ratings describe the potential level of danger should a bushfire start. They provide important information so you can take action to protect yourself and others from the potentially dangerous impacts of a bushfire. You need to understand the Fire Danger Rating to assess your level of bushfire risk and decide what actions to take.

What to do:

  • Learn the four levels of Fire Danger Ratings and the actions you should take at each level.
  • Check the Fire Danger Rating each day at wa.gov.au You should also monitor Emergency WA for bushfire warnings.
  • Ensure your bushfire plan is adaptable for the different levels of fire danger.
    • Your plan might include triggers at a High Fire Danger Rating.
    • Even if your property is very well prepared, homes cannot withstand fires in Catastrophic conditions and it is too dangerous to stay.

For further information about preparing for bushfire go to dfes.wa.gov.au/bushfire.

For information about Fire Management in the Shire of Dardanupk, visit this page of our website.

To create or review your bushfire plan go to mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au or download the app

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