Fire warnings and ratings

Warnings are issued by Emergency Victoria when a situation is likely to impact you. They provide you with information on what is happening and our best advice on what you should do.

Victoria is divided into nine Fire Districts based on different council boundaries. Mitchell Shire Council sits within the North Central Fire District, the CFA website outlines details for our district such as:

• Total Fire Ban & Fire Danger Ratings map
• Total Fire Ban status
• Fire Danger Rating
• Fire Danger Rating scale

These are declared by CFA on days when fires are likely to spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

CFA declares the Fire Danger Periods by municipality during periods of increased fire risk.

To check if the Fire Danger Period is in place go to CFA: North Central Fire Ban District.

During the Fire Danger Period and on a day of Total Fire Ban, there are restrictions in place to protect the community, livestock and property.

You need to understand what restrictions are in place and if you can:

• light a BBQ or campfire
• use a chainsaw
• start farm machinery
• weld, solder or do other hot work
• drive a vehicle off-road

You can be penalised with large fines or imprisonment for lighting an illegal fire. This includes any campfires and burning off.

To report a fire during the Fire Danger Period or on a Total Fire Ban Day phone 000 (triple zero).

VicEmergency is a centralised website for Victorians to find emergency information and warnings. You can also access preparedness and recovery information related to emergencies. The website has a real-time Google Map display with incidents across the state including floods, storms, fires, earthquakes, tsunami, beach closures, shark sightings and more.

• VicEmergency Incidents and Warnings
• VicEmergency Prepare & Get Ready
• VicEmergency Relief & Recovery

The VicEmergency App is the official Victorian Government app for access to timely, relevant and tailored emergency warnings and information. You can download this to your smart phone or tablet and set up alerts for your location.

This App replaced the FireReady App on 16 November 2016. Please make sure you have updated to the new app and set up your watch zones. Visit the VicEmergency App page for information on how to download and install the app.

Take note of local event and 'plan and prepare' information in local papers and via the CFA Plan & Prepare webpage and CFA Whats On Webpage.

CFA and VicEmergency also use Facebook and Twitter to alert the community to warnings, advice and incidents.

• Follow CFA on Facebook
• Follow VicEmergency on Facebook
• Follow CFA on Twitter

In November 2016, the VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226) replaced the Bushfire Information Line. Please make sure you have this in your phone and on hand prior to an emergency.

• When you can light a fire, permits and what not to burn — see Burning off and fireworks
• Your safety is your responsibility. Your bushfire survival plan and maintaining your property to minimise the threat of fire — see How residents can prepare
• Resources to assist with animals during an emergency — see Animal management and emergencies
• Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents — Penalty and Fee Units. Lighting an illegal fire is 120 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment