The Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) and Australian Warning System (AWS) explained
Understanding bushfire and emergency warnings can save lives. To protect yourself, your family, and your property, there are two systems you need to understand.
1. Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS)
This tells you how dangerous a bushfire could be on any given day, using four easy-to-understand levels, so you know when to prepare, act, or leave early to stay safe.
What you need to know:
- Ratings are based on weather and vegetation conditions.
- There are four levels:
- Moderate – Plan and prepare
- High – Be ready to act
- Extreme – Take action now to protect life and property
- Catastrophic – For your survival, leave bushfire risk areas
What you can do to stay safe
- Check the daily fire danger rating at Emergency WA and plan your activities accordingly.
- Avoid activities that could start a fire on high-risk days.
- Avoid using machinery or open flames on days rated High, Extreme, or Catastrophic.
- Prepare your property by clearing dry vegetation, cleaning gutters, and removing flammable materials.
- Have a bushfire plan and share it with your household.
- Stay informed by checking Emergency WA and listening to local alerts.
2. Australian Warning System (AWS)
The Australian Warning System (AWS) is a nationally consistent approach to emergency warnings that uses three clear levels, each with color-coded icons and action statements to help people understand the risk and know exactly what steps to take during bushfires, cyclones, floods, storms, and heatwaves.
What you need to know:
Three warning levels:
- Advice (Yellow) – Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
- Watch and Act (Orange) – Conditions are changing. Start taking action now.
- Emergency Warning (Red) – You may be in danger and need to take action immediately.
Each warning includes an action statement to guide your response.
What you can do to stay safe:
- Know the warning levels and what each one means.
- Prepare your emergency kit in advance with essentials like water, food, medications, and important documents.
- Have a clear emergency plan and share it with your household.
- Stay informed by checking Emergency WA and listening to local alerts.
- Follow action statements in warnings immediately—don’t wait to act.