Jeremy Rockliff

Premier of Tasmania



7 November 2022

Felix Ellis, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management

New fire danger rating system to keep Tasmanians safe

As we enter another bushfire season, the Tasmanian Government continues to invest in the latest initiatives to keep communities safe.

The Tasmania Fire Service has implemented a new and nationally consistent Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) – designed to provide clear and accurate information about bushfire risk.

The AFDRS has four rating levels: Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic, with simple actions for the community to take at each level:

  • Moderate (Green) – Plan and prepare;
  • High (Yellow) – Be ready to act;
  • Extreme (Orange) – Take action now to protect life and property; and
  • Catastrophic (Red) – For your survival, leave bushfire risk areas.

This is the most significant change to the fire danger rating system in more than 50 years.

Adoption of the AFDRS was a recommendation from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements Report.

To enable this initiative, the Tasmanian Government has invested nearly $1.4 million, which has been matched by the Australian Government.

The system will enable the community to make informed decisions to keep themselves prepared and safe before a bushfire starts.

As we’ve seen with recent flooding, investment in early warning systems saves lives and property.

I encourage everyone to visit www.fire.tas.gov.au for further information and to keep up-to-date.



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