Know your Fire Danger Ratings

We know what fire can do. So we use our knowledge to provide clear advice on what action communities need to take.

The Fire Danger Rating System has four levels. Each level tells you how dangerous a bushfire could be if one starts and comes with clear actions to take. The higher the Fire Danger Rating, the more severe the bushfire could be.

Fire Danger Ratings are important when deciding on your trigger to leave in your bushfire plan.

Click on the ratings below to find out what you should do.

Plan and prepare

Most fires can be controlled.

  • Stay up to date and be alert for fires in your area.
  • Check your bushfire plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now.

Be ready to act

Fires can be dangerous.

  • There’s a heightened risk. Be alert for fires in your area.
  • If a fire starts, your life and property may be at risk.
  • Review your bushfire plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now.
  • Leave bushfire risk areas if necessary.

Take action now

Fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous.

  • These are dangerous fire conditions.
  • Put your bushfire plan into action.
  • If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, plan to leave early.
  • Avoid travel through bushfire risk areas.

For your survival, leave bushfire risk areas

If a fire starts and takes hold, lives are likely to be lost.

  • These are the most dangerous conditions for a fire.
  • It may be too late to make a bushfire plan. Prepare your emergency kit and choose where you will go and different ways to get there.
  • Stay safe by going to a safer location early in the morning or the night before.
  • Homes cannot withstand fires in these conditions. You may not be able to leave, and help may not be available.

Don’t leave it too late to make a bushfire plan. Get prepared for bushfire season and create or update your plan now.

  • On days when there is minimal risk, the Fire Danger Rating will be set to ‘no rating’.
  • Bushfires which start in these conditions are unlikely to spread in a dangerous or life-threatening way, but you will still need to remain alert and abide by local seasonal laws and regulations.

What are Fire Danger Ratings?

Fire Danger Ratings are important because they provide people with information so they can take action to protect themselves and others from the potentially dangerous impacts of bushfires. Ratings are calculated using a combination of weather forecasting and information about vegetation that could fuel a fire. They do not indicate the chance of a fire occurring, although this is a common misconception.

Stay prepared by checking your local Fire Danger Rating daily at emergency.wa.gov.au.

How are Fire Danger Ratings decided?

The Fire Danger Rating system uses the latest scientific understanding about weather, fuel and how fire behaves in different types of vegetation to improve the reliability of fire danger forecasts.

It utilises eight standard fire behaviour models with modifications to account for 22 fuel types.

This strengthens the ability of those working in emergency services to be better prepared, make informed decisions and provide accurate advice to the community.

Get prepared with a bushfire plan

Dangerous bushfires can start at any time. Knowing the Fire Danger Ratings helps you to understand your risks and plan what you’ll do to keep your home and family safe. Stay prepared by creating or updating your bushfire plan.

Create or review your plan