The purpose of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) is to provide an efficient and easy to understand way to communicate fire danger broadly to the community.
Fire danger is rated as
Daily forecasted fire danger ratings will be shown on roadside signs (in jurisdictions where they are installed), emergency services websites, the Bureau of Meteorology webpage and are broadcast where required through media such as tv, radio, newspapers and the internet.
Fire Danger Ratings will be used as a trigger for the level of advice and messaging to the community when a fire starts. There will be three types of alert messages:
- Bushfire Advice: A fire or other emergency has started in the area however there is no immediate threat. Advice messages will keep people informed and up to date with developments on a fire.
- Bushfire Watch and Act: There is a heightened level of threat, you need to be aware of your situation and take action to be prepared and protect yourself and your family.
- Bushfire Emergency Warning: You are in danger and need to take immediate action recommended by the fire service. Emergency Warnings, accompanied by the siren sound (State Emergency Warning Signal), will be activated to advise that you must take action immediately, you will be impacted by the fire.
Learn More about the AFDRS