Bushfire Warnings and Information

While staying or travelling in bushfire-prone areas, listen to fire weather warnings. When a fire has started, Victoria's emergency broadcasters will broadcast this news. All alerts and warnings will also be posted at cfa.vic.gov.au.

Fire services will work hard to provide information and warnings about bushfires burning in Victoria, but remember fires may threaten you within minutes of starting.

Do not expect an official bushfire warning. If travelling in a bushfire-prone area, check the Fire Danger Rating, plan for your own safety, and watch for smoke and other signs of fire activity.

Warning levels
When bushfire warnings are issued you need to understand the level of warning.

There are three levels, each increasing in importance:
1. Advice – A fire has started: general information to keep you up-to-date with developments.
2. Watch and Act – A fire is approaching you, conditions are changing; you need to start taking action now to protect your life and your family.
3. Emergency Warning – You are in imminent danger and need to take action immediately. You will be affected by fire.

In an emergency
If you need to report a fire, call triple zero.
Do not call triple zero for information or advice. Triple zero operators are not provided with information specific to an emergency and cannot assist with such advice. Calling triple zero unnecessarily may put others who are in a genuine emergency situation at risk.

Victoria's emergency broadcasters
In an emergency, updates will be issued by emergency services such as the CFA, and emergency warnings will interrupt normal programming.

You may hear a distinctive siren sound played before a broadcast emergency warning. This is the Standard Emergency Warning Signal.

Bushfire Information Updates

• Tune in to your emergency broadcasters: ABC Local Radio, commercial radio stations, and SKY News TV
• Visit the CFA website at cfa.vic.gov.au
• Visit the Department of Sustainability and Environment at dse.vic.gov.au
• Ring the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667

Park and Forest Information
On days of forecast Code Red (catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria will close parks and forests (including State Forests and National Parks) in the relevant weather district for public safety. Days declared a Total Fire Ban may also trigger some park closures. In hot, dry, windy weather call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 19 63 before you go or check the latest conditions at parkweb.vic.gov.au

Road closures
In the event of a bushfire, road closures may take place due to fire threat or smoke haze demands. Before you drive, check the latest road closure details and other traffic information at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or call the VicRoads Traffic Management Centre on 13 11 70.