New Fire Danger Rating launching 1 September 2022
Published on Wednesday, 10 August 2022 at 7:54:36 AM
Shire of Carnarvon residents are advised that the current Fire Danger Rating system will be changing to a new Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) backed up by a new Fire Behaviour Index (FBI) from 1 September 2022.
The change will see ratings decrease from six to four and will be displayed in a uniform format on signage across the nation with consistent colours, signs, and terminology. This means that wherever you go in Australia, you can understand the level of threat and what you need to do to stay safe.
The current Fire Danger Rating System is largely based on science that is more than 60 years old. New technology and research have greatly improved our ability to predict fire behaviour and the potential threat more accurately to the community. The new fire danger rating system is designed to deliver more precise and timely information by utilising the latest science and community input.
The AFDRS will have four levels with action-oriented messages to encourage people to take action. The ratings and high-level messages are:
Supporting messages, including localised information, will clearly explain what community response is required at each level.
The AFDRS also introduces an ‘off’ or ‘no rating’ level (white strip under Moderate) for days where no proactive action is required. This does not mean that fires cannot happen, but that they are not likely to move or act in a threatening way.
Fire danger ratings are crucial as they provide people with important information so that they can take action to protect themselves and others from the potentially dangerous impacts of bushfires. It aims to improve public safety and reduce the impacts of bushfires by:
- Improving the scientific accuracy behind fire danger predictions.
- Improving the way that fire danger is communicated.
- Providing government and industry with better decision-making tools.
- Reducing the costs associated with bushfire impacts.
More information is available:
DFES: About the Fire Danger Rating System
AFAC: The AFDRS design and operational build
AFAC: National Social Research Report