The Fire Danger Rating is forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology from September 1 to the end of March in the Shoalhaven. 

It’s not a predictor of how likely a bushfire is to occur, but how dangerous it could be, and should be used as an early indicator to begin your fire plan. 

What does it mean? 

These are the worst conditions for a grass or bushfire. The safest place is away from high risk bushfire areas.

What should I do? 

Homes are not designed to withstand these conditions. Leaving early is the safest option, the night before or early in the day is your best option - do not wait and see.

Avoid forested areas, thick bush or long, dry grass. Know your trigger - make a decision about when you will leave, where you will go, how you will get there, when you will return, and what will you do if you cannot leave.

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What does it mean? 

Expect extremely hot, dry and windy conditions. If a fire starts and takes hold, it will be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving.

Spot fires will start, move quickly and come from many directions. Homes built or modified to withstand a bushfire, and well prepared and actively defended, may provide safety.

You must be physically and mentally prepared to defend in these conditions.

What should I do? 

Only consider staying with your property if you are prepared to the highest level. This means your home needs to be situated and built or modified to withstand a bushfire, you are well prepared and can actively defend your home if a fire starts.

If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving early in the day is the safest option.

What does it mean? 

Expect hot, dry and possibly windy conditions. If a fire starts and takes hold, it may be uncontrollable. Well prepared homes that are actively defended may provide safety. You must be physically and mentally prepared to defend in these conditions.

What should I do? 

Well prepared homes that are actively defended may provide safety - check your bushfire survival plan. If you are not prepared, leaving bushfire prone areas early is your safest option.

What does it mean? 

If a fire starts, it can most likely be controlled in these conditions and homes can provide safety. Controlled burning off may occur in these conditions if it is safe - check to see if permits apply.

What should I do? 

Check your bushfire survival plan and monitor conditions. Action may be needed and leave the area if necessary.

Where there is a risk from bush fire, the NSW Rural Fire Service uses Bush Fire Alerts to provide information to affected communities using radio, television, and the internet.

There are three Bush Fire Alert levels to help you make the right choices for your safety.

An Emergency Warning is the highest level of Bush Fire Alert.

The alert will give information about the severity of the fire, its location and what you should do.

Bush Fire Alerts are not always given in the above order. A fire may be at ‘Watch and Act’ or ‘Emergency Warning’ first.

Some fires start and spread so quickly that there is no time for any warning at all. You should be prepared to put your Bush Fire Survival Plan into action with little or no warning.

Include Bush Fire Alerts in your Bush Fire Survival Plan as triggers to leave early or prepare to stay and defend where appropriate.

Remember a fire can threaten suddenly. Don’t rely on a single source for emergency information, and be ready to act.

Contact the BFIL (Bush Fire Information Line) on 1800 679 737, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, the NSW RFS Facebook, www.facebook.com/nswrfs or Twitter, www.twitter.com/nswrfs page or check your local news outlet, at www.southcoastregister.com.au.