Australian bushfire warnings explained: Advice, watch and act, and emergency
If you live in a bushfire-prone area, understanding Australia’s bushfire warning levels could help you make faster decisions during an emergency. The Australian Warning System uses three warning levels: Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning. Here’s what each warning means, and how to prepare to leave early if needed.
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Bushfires can happen at any time, although peak bushfire activity will vary according to weather patterns and geography. Conditions can change very quickly, so it’s important to understand the warnings.
Until now, emergency services in each state and territory used different types of warnings to advise local communities on the threat levels of bushfires.
To avoid this confusion, the National Emergency Management Agency has partnered with the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience to develop a consistent, national warning framework called the Australian Warning System.
What are the three warning levels?
 |
 |
 |
|
| Warning level | Advice | Watch and act | Emergency warning |
| What it means | No immediate danger | Conditions are changing | Immediate danger |
| What to do | Stay informed | Prepare to act | Act now |
Advice (Yellow)
This means there’s a fire nearby with no immediate danger. Stay in touch with local authorities and monitor conditions in case the situation changes.
You may be instructed to do any of the following:
- Prepare now
- Stay informed
- Monitor conditions
- Avoid the area
Watch and act (Orange)
This means there’s a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing which may pose a threat to life and property. You need to act now to protect you and your family.
You may be instructed to do any of the following:
- Prepare to leave
- Leave now
- Prepare to take shelter
- Move/stay indoors
- Walk two or more streets back
- Monitor conditions as they’re changing
- Move to higher ground
- Avoid the area
- Stay away from damaged buildings and other hazards
- Prepare for isolation
- Protect yourself against the impacts of embers and extreme heat
Emergency warning (Red)
This is the highest level of warning. It means you are in immediate danger as a fire will impact your area. Take action at once – any delay puts your life at risk.
You may be instructed to do any of the following:
- Leave immediately
- Take shelter now
- Too late, dangerous to leave
Can warnings move straight to an emergency warning?
Yes. In fast-moving fires, emergency services may issue a Watch and act or Emergency warning without first issuing an Advice warning. That’s why it’s important to have a bushfire plan in place before the fire season starts.
Download practical checklists from our Severe Weather Support hub.
How do I get alerts?
Where there’s a risk from bushfire, Australia’s local fire services, including the NSW Rural Fire Service, use Bush Fire Alerts. They alert affected communities via:
- Radio
- TV
- Their websites
- Social media platforms like Facebook and X
- An App which may also be available for your area
Alerts give you information about the severity of the fire, its location and what you should do.
But alerts are not always given in the order outlined above. A fire may be at ‘Watch and act’ or ‘Emergency warning’ first, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Some fires spread so quickly there’s no time for any warning at all. That’s why emergency services advise those at risk be prepared to put their Bushfire Survival Plan into action with little or no warning.
For step-by-step instructions, visit the MyFirePlan website.
Other ways to stay informed during an emergency:
- Emergency alert text messages
- Emergency alert phone calls
- State emergency apps
- Local ABC radio
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How do I create a leave early checklist?
If your Bushfire Survival Plan includes leaving early, preparing ahead of time can help you leave quickly and safely if conditions worsen.
Inside
- Close doors, windows and vents
- Fill baths, sinks, buckets and bins with water
- Soak towels and rugs and lay them across external doorways
- Move furniture away from windows
Outside
- Turn off gas mains and/or bottles
- Move flammable items away from the house
- Block drainpipes with socks full of sand and fill gutters with water
- Don’t get on the roof to hose it down
Before you leave
- Pack items you want to take with you, as identified in your Bushfire Survival Plan
- Secure your home by locking all doors and windows
- If you live on a rural property, leave gates unlocked so firefighters can access your property if necessary
- Confirm the location you’re heading to is still safe, away from the fire
- Confirm your planned route is clear
- Contact a relative or friend and tell them you are leaving, and for where
- Contact them again once you’ve arrived safely
When are peak periods for bushfires?
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, for northern Australia, the peak bushfire period is during the dry season, which is generally throughout winter and spring.
In southern Australia, the bushfire season peaks in summer and autumn. While these are traditional peaks of the bushfire season, local conditions can drive dangerous bushfire activity at any time.
That’s why it’s a good idea to review your bushfire plan regularly.
Related article: Long-range extreme Weather risks in Australia explained
For more information, contact your local fire authority: