What to do during a bushfire

Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world. On hot, dry, windy days, fires can start and spread quickly. If the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, you’re risking your life if you wait and see. Leaving early is the safest option to protect yourself and your family.

It is important that you listen to the instructions provided by emergency services during a bushfire emergency and observe any recommendation to leave or evacuate the area.

Remember, always access more than one source for emergency information and warnings.

Important contacts

Triple Zero (000)

Call Triple Zero (000) if you need Police, Fire or Ambulance assistance in an emergency situation.

VicEmergency

1800 226 226

VicEmergency is a centralised website for Victorians to find emergency information and warnings.

VicEmergency is the official Victorian Government app for emergency warnings and information.

The app includes warnings and incident notifications for:

  • fire
  • flood
  • storm
  • earthquake
  • tsunami
  • weather warnings
  • shark sightings
  • beach closures and more.

To receive location specific app alerts when warnings are issued or incidents occur, you need to set up your watch zones.

You can download VicEmergency from the App Store or Google Play.

Country Fire Authority

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) is Victoria's lead agency for bushfires and other fires in regional areas, as well as responding to road accidents, rescues and other emergencies

To check the Fire Danger Rating forecast and Total Fire Ban declarations in your area, visit Total Fire Bans and ratings on the CFA website.

Fire Rescue Victoria

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) delivers fire and emergency management services in areas of metropolitan Melbourne and major regional centres throughout Victoria.

Staying informed

You can get information by tuning in to ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) local radio, or other emergency broadcasters including radio or SKY News, by downloading the VicEmergency app or following VicEmergency on Facebook or Twitter.

Page last updated: 07 Mar 2024