What to Do When You See Smoke in Bushfire Season

Image: What smoke looks like from a WatchTowers camera. ACT RFS operators used this live feed to confirm the source of smoke on the horizon.

You’re at home, on the road, or out in the paddock when you spot smoke on the horizon. Heart rate spikes. Is it a hazard reduction burn? A bushfire? Do you ring 000?

It’s one of the most common questions people ask in Australian bushfire season (and for good reason). Smoke can mean anything from a routine burn-off to a serious fire front. The trick is knowing how to tell the difference, and what steps to take next.

Here’s the plain-English version of what to do when you see smoke, with a few tips from our friends at ACT Rural Fire Service (RFS).

Why smoke matters

Smoke is usually the first clue that something’s up. Sometimes it’s just grass clippings being tidied up, other times it’s the first hint of a bushfire getting going.

Context matters. In winter, early spring or late autumn, smoke is more likely to be from landholder burns or hazard reduction work. During summer, or on a day with a high Fire Danger Rating, smoke takes on a different meaning. Checking the daily Fire Danger Rating and whether a Total Fire Ban is in place (via Hazards Near Me) helps you judge the risk when you spot a column of smoke. 

Find out more about Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans in our recent explainer article Fire Danger Rating vs Total Fire Ban: What’s the Difference? 

Location also matters. If you’re downwind of that smoke on a hot, windy day, it’s worth taking a closer look. That’s where CentralWatch comes in. Instead of wondering, you can open the platform, see the Hazards Near Me symbol over the fire and pull up a live image from the nearest camera. It’s like taking a drive to the top of the hill to see what’s going on, without leaving home. 

Alongside that, Hazards Near Me will display the official warning level: Advice, Watch and Act (time to start preparing), or Emergency Warning.

The important bit is not to panic. Just take a breath, get the facts and be ready to act.

The dos

1. Stay calm and size it up. Is the smoke light or dark? Thin or heavy? Drifting or billowing? White smoke can mean grass or scrub. Darker smoke usually signals something bigger or hotter.

2. Check the facts. Before assuming the worst, jump on official sources. CentralWatch gives you live camera feeds and alerts so you can see what’s really happening nearby. Fire service apps and websites are also your friends here.

3. Be prepared to act. If smoke looks close, dust off your bushfire plan and gather essentials. Fires don’t wait, and being ready early is safer than scrambling later.

The don’ts

1. Don’t shrug it off. Even a small column of smoke can become a big problem. Keep tabs until you’re sure it’s under control.

2. Don’t fuel the rumour mill. Posting “fire in town!!” on social media before it’s confirmed just adds confusion. Share CentralWatch updates or official advice instead.

3. Don’t leave it too late. If you’re uneasy, act early. Fires move faster than most people expect. We showed just how quickly things can escalate in our earlier story What Really Happens in the First Five Minutes of a Bushfire?

When to call 000

Not sure if it’s time to dial? If you’re asking yourself “should I call 000 when I see smoke?”, here’s the simple rule.

If you can see flames or heavy smoke close by, or feel you’re under direct threat, always put safety first and call 000 straight away. Better safe than sorry.

If you do need to dial, giving clear location details make a big difference. Operators will ask for your closest cross street or address. If you’re travelling, this can be tricky, so look for landmarks or road names that help pin down your position. For example: 

“I’m on the Hume Highway just past the Federal Highway turn-off, heading toward Yass. I can see the fire running across the paddock to the north, and there are no crews on scene.”

It’s also worth knowing what not to call about. General haze or the smell of smoke is often from known bushfires or planned burns. In those cases, check CentralWatch. The platform lists active fires across the states and gives you live camera views so you can confirm whether the smoke is already being monitored.

How CentralWatch helps

CentralWatch takes the guesswork out of smoke sightings. Log in from your phone, laptop or tablet and you’ll get live camera views, real-time alerts and updates you can share with family, friends or neighbours. No need to wonder if that plume is a hazard reduction or a bushfire. You can check it yourself, in seconds.

What this means for WatchTowers communities

Not all smoke means danger, but being prepared makes all the difference. CentralWatch gives communities the same trusted feeds that firefighters use, while WatchTowers Command and Mobile WatchTowers back up the crews on the ground.

This fire season, stay calm, stay connected and be part of the watch in your community. Check out the short CentralWatch explainer video below, and if you haven’t already, register for your own CentralWatch account today.

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