Image: The fire danger rating signs you’ll see on highways and at the edge of country towns across Australia. They show the daily Fire Danger Rating for the area, and switch to “Total Fire Ban” when restrictions are in place. Photo: Canva
We often hear the terms Fire Danger Rating and Total Fire Ban when bushfire season arrives, but they’re not the same thing. Even experienced locals get them mixed up. So, we had a chat with some of our friends at the NSW Rural Fire Service to help clear it up. Here’s the plain-English version.
What is a Fire Danger Rating?
A Fire Danger Rating (FDR) is basically a forecast. It’s the fire service saying, “if a fire starts today, this is how bad it could get.” It’s worked out from the usual suspects: temperature, wind speed, humidity, fuel state and vegetation.
The national system, called the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS), introduces nationally consistent colours and terminology. This means that wherever you go in Australia, you can understand the level of threat and what you need to do to stay safe. If you live in NSW for instance, you’ll know it from the coloured scale below, from Moderate (green) through to Catastrophic (red). (Fun fact: your local firies call this the watermelon wheel.)
This is the same graphic you’ll see on TV or in the news when fire conditions are ramping up. Thanks to the NSW RFS for letting us share it here.
This visual guide makes it easier to understand what the conditions mean in practice — whether it’s a day to stay alert, to change your plans, or to leave early if you’re in a high-risk area.
Behind that simple chart is something called the Fire Behaviour Index (FBI). It’s a number scale the fire crews use to work out what conditions mean for harvesting and other work. For example, once the FBI tips above 40 in cropping areas, harvesters are usually told to stop work until things cool down.
Want to see how quickly things can change once a fire does start? Have a look at our earlier story: What Really Happens in the First Five Minutes of a Bushfire here.
What is a Total Fire Ban?
A Total Fire Ban (TOBAN for short) is a legal restriction. It’s worked out by using the FBI, the current fires and fire services resources in the area. On a TOBAN day, you can’t do certain things that might kick off a fire, like lighting a BBQ, welding, grinding, or running machinery out in the paddock. Even if you normally do those things safely, the risk is just too high on those days.
Bans apply across what are called Fire Weather Areas (basically groups of council areas). For example, the Eastern Riverina Fire Weather Area covers Albury, Coolamon, Greater Hume, Junee, Lockhart and Wagga Wagga.
In simple terms:
- Fire Danger Rating = the forecast risk
- Total Fire Ban = the rules you’ve got to follow
How do permits and burn notifications fit in?
During the bushfire season you’ll usually need a permit if you want to light up. In some council areas, permits apply all year round. However, a permit doesn’t give you a free pass. You still have to let your neighbours, the local Fire Control Centre and nearby land managers know at least 24 hours beforehand.
And even if you’ve done all that, the weather still rules the day. If there’s a Total Fire Ban in place, your permit is suspended. The same goes if the Fire Behaviour Index hits “High” (24 or above). That’s why people often get confused, because having a permit in your pocket doesn’t always mean you can burn.
What this means for WatchTowers communities
Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans give us a heads-up, but they don’t stop fires from starting. That’s where WatchTowers steps in. Our Sentinel Stations keep a constant eye on the horizon, spotting smoke and confirming a fire before most people have even reached for the phone. If coverage is needed in trickier spots, Mobile WatchTowers can be rolled out in minutes. Read more about our Mobile WatchTowers here.
All of this feeds into WatchTowers Command, the live operations hub that gives emergency services one trusted picture of what’s happening across their area. Find out how it works here.
And here’s the bit that matters most for communities: through CentralWatch, that same live feed is shared with you. From your phone, laptop or tablet, you can see the latest camera views and updates as they come through. It gives you real-time information to help you make good decisions for your family, farm or business.
To see how it works, check out the short CentralWatch explainer video below. And if you haven’t already, register for your own CentralWatch account today. This fire season, you can be part of the watch in your community.
