Fire danger ratings have been simplified and come into effect from tomorrow, they will be standard across Australia. Source: Timberbiz
The new Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) has been developed using the latest science to be more accurate and relevant to the surrounding countryside. The new system will be used across the country, so whether you’re at home or traveling, you will see the same system used.
The new Fire Danger Ratings have four levels instead of six – Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic.
When there is minimal risk, such as when it’s raining, ‘No Rating’ will be used. This is the white wedge sitting under Moderate.
There’ll be actions for each level, so you’ll know what to do to protect your life, family and property.
The AFDRS is a project of national significance developed collaboratively by state, territory, and the Commonwealth government. 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.
In Australia, formal fire danger ratings were first produced in the 1950s and 1960s by A. G. McArthur. The McArthur system was used for many decades and has undergone various modifications during its lifespan.
In 2022 it was replaced by the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) marking a generational change to the way fire danger is calculated and communicated.
The AFDRS calculates, forecasts and reports fire danger using up-to-date fuel state data, spatial and satellite data, weather data, science and technology. It takes advantage of the many decades of research about how fire behaves, incorporating a wider range of fire behaviour models (eight as opposed to the two used by the McArthur system) to better represent the variety of Australian vegetation and fuel types.
Daily forecasted fire danger ratings will be shown on roadside signs (in jurisdictions where they are installed), emergency services websites, the Bureau of Meteorology webpage and broadcast where required through media.
To learn more about the AFDRS and how each component works, it is recommended to undertake the AFDRS training.
Two eLearning courses have been developed to assist people to make the change to the new system:
Course 1: Introduction to the AFDRS (introductory level)
Course 2: Applying the AFDRS (intermediate level).
Staff of fire management agencies are asked to conduct the AFDRS eLearning on their own department’s learning management system, if available. Check with your agency’s training team first.
Others can access it here: https://afdrs-training.afac.com.au/moodle
