Victoria will fall in line with an updated Australian fire danger rating system from September 1, as emergency services brace for fire season across the state.
Firefighters have urged people to start thinking about fire preparedness despite the cold and wet winter experienced by much of the state.
Victorians are also urged to ensure they understand the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System, which will be in place from Thursday, September 1 across Australia.
The new system has four ratings — moderate, high, extreme and catastrophic — and means the same system will be in place across the country.
The new system follows one of Australia’s largest community surveys, which found the majority of Australians did not understand the previous fire danger rating system.
Based on community feedback, the new fire danger rating system uses four colour- coded levels and plain language to provide clear advice on what action communities need to take at each level.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said it was a major change to the way fire danger ratings were calculated.
“Our objective is for Victorians to better understand what actions to take at each fire danger level, and that’s why this new system will be reduced to just four simple ratings and use clear recommendations for how to protect yourself according to your bushfire risk,” he said.
The Victorian Alps and stretches near Benalla and Seymour are at a lower fire risk than usual due to recent rain, but the rest of the state is at “normal fire potential” for the summer, according to the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, which released its annual report last week.
“Seasonal conditions in Victoria were favourable for the start of the 2022-23 winter cropping season and this may result in extra growth of grass and crop fuels through most areas in spring,” the report said.
“It may result in an increase in fire potential later in spring, as curing advances.”
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said it was important for Victorians to prepare for floods and storms in the same way they prepared for fires.
“What is the plan you are putting in place for yourself, your family, pets and livestock? As part of your plan, think about the clear triggers and when you will enact your plan,” he said.
“Victorians need to know how they can access good information — that’s through the VicEmergency app, social media, including Facebook and Twitter, and through emergency broadcasters.
“As a sector, we’re getting prepared, but my question to Victorians is: are you prepared?”
Victorians can access up-to-date fire danger ratings and other emergency information on the VicEmergency website and VicEmergency app.