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                    Digital emergency tools

                    There are websites and apps that provide real-time information about storms, fires, floods and other emergency incidents.

                    ​You can find real-time emergency information at VicEmergency and on the FireReady app.

                    VicEmergency

                    VicEmergency is the primary website for fire and flood warnings and shows emergency incidents in Victoria on a Google map.

                    The site provides information about:

                    • bushfires and grassfires
                    • planned burns
                    • storms
                    • earthquakes
                    • power outages
                    • traffic incidents.

                    Visitors can also access planning and recovery information on fire and flood.

                    FireReady

                    FireReady is an app that provides fire warnings, information on planned burns and other types of incidents.

                    Once you’ve installed FireReady and created Watch Zones, you can access maps that show incidents in your chosen locations.

                    You’ll also receive notifications for:

                    • fire danger ratings of severe, extreme and code red
                    • total fire bans.

                    You can download FireReady from Google play and iTunes.

                    FireReady has been built to withstand high levels of demand during peak fire periods.

                    The app is managed by Emergency Management Victoria and it contains information sourced from the:

                    • Country Fire Authority (CFA)
                    • Department of Environment and Primary Industries
                    • Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB).

                    Other emergency warning systems

                    City of Melbourne advises checking more than one source of emergency warnings. For example:

                    • like the CFA’s Facebook page and follow their Twitter feed @CFA_Updates
                    • listen to the area’s local radio
                    • ring the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on 1800 240 667.

                    If you have a hearing or speech impairment, contact the VBIL on 1800 555 677.

                    For information in languages other than English, call 131 450 for translations from VBIL.

                    Warnings and updates

                    Warnings are issued when a fire has started and you need to take action. There are three different levels of warnings – Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning. To learn what each warning means, visit VicEmergency.

                    Don’t expect warnings to be issued in any particular order. The first warning you hear about could be an Emergency Warning. You should never wait to receive an official warning before you leave. Bushfires can start quickly and threaten homes and lives within minutes.

                    Leave early

                    On hot, dry and windy days, fires can start and spread quickly. If the fire danger rating is code red, extreme or severe, you’re risking your life if you wait and see. Leaving early is the safest option to protect yourself and your family.

                    Leaving late means driving your family through smoke, fallen trees and powerlines, and facing the risk of being trapped or worse. Waiting to leave also means that a drive that normally takes a few minutes could take hours.

                    If you rely on others for care or support, leave before an increased fire risk day – don’t wait to receive a warning.

                    Planning and preparing

                    Prepare yourself and your property. For information about preparing for emergencies such as fires see Personal emergency plans for Be Aware Be Prepared resources.

                    Use fire danger ratings to decide when to leave. Fire danger ratings are not a weather forecast – they tell you how dangerous a fire would be if one started. As the ratings increase, so does your risk of fire.

                    Check fire danger ratings daily during summer. Be prepared to act quickly on code red, extreme and severe rated days to protect you and your family.

                    Planned burns

                    Smoke can be caused by planned burning that is carried out during the fire season when the weather and conditions are suitable. Planned burns are carried out under carefully managed conditions by experienced crews. Only call triple zero (000) if you see smoke or flames and no firefighters or trucks.

                    For more information on planned burns:

                    Urban fringe grassfires

                    If you live next to grassland:

                    • clear weeds
                    • remove firewood and other rubbish from around your home and fenceline.

                    If a grassfire starts:

                    • move one or two streets away from the fire – don’t wait to receive a warning
                    • avoid driving in a grassfire because it will be smoky and hard to see
                    • keep the roads clear for emergency services.

                    If you live a few streets away from grassland:

                    • stay where you are – it’s unlikely a fire will spread past the first row of fences and houses
                    • don’t try to get a closer look at a grassfire you will put yourself and others in danger.

                    Travelling in regional Victoria

                    When travelling in summer:

                    • check the fire danger rating for your destination before you go and when you arrive
                    • listen to local and ABC radio for warnings and advice while you’re on the road
                    • talk to locals about the fire risk at your destination
                    • never travel into an area where a Code Red has been forecast
                    • go to a city or town on Extreme or Severe Fire Danger Rating days.

                    Remember that:

                    • grassfire can move at speeds of up to 25 km per hour and jump highways
                    • you may not get phone reception across regional Victoria.

                    Deliberately or recklessly lit fires

                    Victoria Police adopts a zero-tolerance approach to deliberately or recklessly lit fires in our state. The maximum penalty for intentionally or recklessly causing a bushfire is 15 years imprisonment and a fine of around $35,000.

                    More information

                    See Emergency management for links to emergency services and other relevant websites.
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