30.11.-1

New Fire Danger Rating and public warnings have been introduced in NSW to help save lives in bush fires.

The revised fire danger rating and warning systems are aligned to the nationally-agreed Fire Danger Rating and warning systems being introduced around Australia in the wake of the Victorian 2009 bushfires.

A key change is a new top level category - Catastrophic (Code Red) incorporated into the Fire Danger Rating system. The Fire Danger Rating warns of the level of bush fire threat on any given day, based on the forecast weather conditions. It is an early indicator of the potential danger, should a bush fire start.

The new Catastrophic (Code Red) level indicates that when there is a forecast of Catastrophic conditions, there is a very real likelihood of major loss of life and property.

The new category will be added to the Fire Danger Meter signs strategically positioned in bushfire prone communities around the State.

The following bush fire alert messages, ranked on a sliding scale depending on the threat, have been included for public warnings.

Advice
a fire has started - there is no immediate danger;
general information to keep up to date with developments.

Watch and Act
represents a heightened level of threat.

Conditions are changing; you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.

Emergency Warning
you are in danger and need to take action immediately.
You will be impacted by fire.

Emergency Warning is the highest and most urgent warning which will be used when there is a major risk of people being killed in a bush fire.  This message will usually be preceded by an emergency warning signal (a siren sound played on the radio or TV).