Fire Facts and Warnings

Every fire is different and creates its own set of particular fire hazards. Common to all fires are their erratic nature, flames, radiant heat and embers, which can start fires many kilometres ahead of main fire front.

• Speed - Fires can spread in bursts as fast as 60 kmh in grassland and 40 kmh ina forest in extreme bushfire conditions
• Flames - Flames can reach more than 100 m in height and exceed temperatures of 1000°C in extreme bushfire conditions
• Embers - Embers during the Black Saturday fires travelled as far as 35 km ahead of the fire front
• Eighty-five per cent of houses lost during a fire succumb to ember attacks
• Radiant heat - Radiant heat is the heat you feel from a radiator heater, but can be 50,000 times more intense in a major bushfire. You cannot see radiant heat but it can ignite fuel and other combustible material ahead of a fire, without flame contact. It is the biggest killer in bushfires, causing death from heatstroke. However, a solid structure or building can block radiant heat and provide some protection

Warnings

• For alerts and warnings, visit the CFA website, tune into ABC local radio, commercial radio stations or Sky News TV, or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667
• Be aware of warnings for surrounding towns in case your suburb or town is not mentioned
• There are three alert levels in Victoria, each increasing in importance - they are Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning. This information will be available on the CFA and DSE websites or via the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 
• Emergency Alert telephone warnings may be sent to your mobile and landline phone based on your billing address
• Fires can quickly become life threatening and you may not receive a warning
• You should not wait to receive a warning to leave. Once a fire is in your area, it may become difficult to leave because road conditions will be dangerous. There may be road closures, smoke, fallen trees and powerlines and embers

Total Fire Ban Districts

• Victoria now has nine Total Fire Ban districts that align with the nine Victorian Bureau of Meteorology weather districts. This means Total Fire Bans and Fire Danger Ratings now apply to the same districts
• Total Fire Bans are declared by CFA on days when fires are likely to spread rapidly and be difficult to control. They are declared either statewide or in certain districts
• Total Fire Bans restrict the activities that people can undertake in order to minimise the possibility of a fire starting and getting out of control
• Total Fire Bans are generally declared on days when the Fire Danger Rating is Very High, Severe, Extreme or Code Red

Code Red

• Code Red is the highest Fire Danger Rating - these are the worst conditions for a bush or grass fire
• Houses are not designed or constructed to withstand fires in these conditions 
• Leaving high-risk bushfire areas the night before or early in the day is the safest option on Code Red days
• Code Red days are rare - last fire season (2009-10) had two Code Red days which affected three districts. These declarations are extremely serious and people need to take action to protect themselves and their families

Fire prevention is a priority and Council is remaining vigilant to ensure the Frankston City municipality is prepared. Council welcomes responsible initiatives from the State Government to assist with fire prevention.

Keep Informed and Be Vigilant Visit the CFA website: www.cfa.vic.gov.au Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line: 1800 240 667 Listen to 774ABC Radio