Summary
- A bushfire plan helps you know what to do in an emergency and stay calm when stress is high.
- Bushfire planning means talking with the people you live, work or travel with about what you’ll do on high fire risk days.
- Take time now to make your bushfire plan—being prepared means you can make safer decisions when it matters most.
- Check the Fire Danger Rating daily for where you live, work and travel during summer.
- Download the VicEmergency app to stay informed about fires across the State.
Why do I need a bushfire plan?
Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world. All Victorians need to be prepared for bushfires and grassfires.
Not everyone thinks clearly in an emergency
That’s why it’s important to make a fire plan. It will help you remember what to do when it matters most. Your plan should suit your personal circumstances and help keep you and your loved ones—including pets—safe.
You are at risk if you live, work, or holiday in high fire risk areas
If you live, work, holiday, or travel in areas prone to bushfire, check the Fire Danger Rating daily to understand your level of risk. Conditions can change quickly during bushfire season, and making a plan will help you prepare for situations where the decisions you make can mean the difference between life and death.
Bushfires can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. Having a plan you’ve thought through ahead of time will help you stay focused, avoid panic, and act quickly in an emergency.
Mark and Jane share why they decided to evacuate when fire hit their area
Mark and Jane were at home on their 10-acre property in Wiseleigh, East Gippsland, when they were threatened by fire in 2019. Because Mark lives with serious health conditions, it was critical that they had left early. That night, their home was destroyed by fire.
In this video, they both agree that leaving early was the right decision. They share their thoughts on their own abilities and resources available to them and why their fire plan was different from the one they had 10 years earlier.
A longer version of their story is available to watch.
[Mark and Jane’s story – Wiseleigh, December 2019 (short version)]
Warning. This video features real bushfire experiences that may be confronting for some viewers.
[Music plays]
[On screen text]
Wiseleigh, East Gipplsand, Victoria. December 30, 2019.
[Jane from Wiseleigh]
That day it was a stinking hot day. It was quite a windy day as well. We were in drought our dam was empty, my husband's got a medical condition. The two of us weren't going to fight a fire that's uncontrollable and unpredictable as this fire was.
[Mark from Wiseleigh]
A couple years ago I had a heart attack. I've got fibromyalgia, I've got spinal issues...things like that. Ten years ago when all the dams were full and the tanks were full and it was plenty of water I probably would have stayed and I would have died.
[Music plays]
[Mark]
In hindsight we certainly did the right thing, by just leaving and not thinking about possessions although we could have shoved him in the car. But you've got to think about your capability and what resources you have.
[On screen text]
Mark and Jane evacuated to Paynesville. Their home was destroyed overnight.
What is a bushfire plan?
A bushfire plan is a written or verbal plan that helps you remember what to do on high fire risk days or if a fire starts nearby. It's there to help you avoid making last-minute decisions, which can be deadly during a bushfire.
Your bushfire plan should outline what you will do if:
The safest bushfire plan is one where you've made the decision to leave early, before a bushfire starts, on high fire risk days.
Bushfire planning can be simple — talk about it or write it down
Bushfire planning doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be:
- a conversation with your family, housemates, carers, friends or neighbours about what you'll do in different fire scenarios
- a written plan that you can refer to, practise, and update as needed.
Even if your plan is to leave early on high fire risk days, having a bushfire plan will help you stay focused and make clear decisions in what can be a highly stressful situation.
What if my bushfire plan fails?
It’s not unusual for a bushfire plan to fail. Most plans are made for good days—when everyone is home, everything is working, and nothing unexpected is happening. But real life doesn’t always go to plan.
Week to week, things change. Your children might be at school, someone could be at work, your car might not start, or a pet could be missing. Roads may be closed due to fire or roadworks. Conditions can also change quickly and without warning.
That's why backup plans should be a key part of your bushfire plan.
Always have backup plans
Review your bushfire plan regularly, practise it under different scenarios, and prepare backup plans. A flexible, well-rehearsed plan gives you and your household the best chance of staying safe—even when the unexpected happens.
Think through a range of situations and make several backup plans. This way, if your main bushfire plan fails, you’ll have other options ready to go.
Have a backup plan for every situation
Many people find it helpful to think about the following:
- what if we can't get to our first choice of destination?
- what if the road there or back is blocked?
- what if I'm sick, injured, or can't leave home?
- what if my children are at school and I'm at home?
- what if I'm at work?
- what if it's a public holiday?
- what if I'm travelling or on holidays and there's a bushfire nearby?
It’s important to talk through these scenarios with everyone in your household. Planning together helps you stay calm and adapt quickly if you need to change plans during an emergency.
What if I get caught out?
If you find yourself in an area with a fire and you can't leave, there are some last resort options that might help you survive.
Last resort options are just that—a last resort. Leaving early, first thing in the morning or the night before, is always the safest option.
Your next steps for bushfire planning
Use the fire planning templates and resources in the your fire plan section to help make your plan.
Your fire plan is a dedicated planning hub where you can find the right plan for your situation, whether you:
You'll also find practical advice to help you:
Need help making your bushfire plan? Check if there's a free Fire Safety Planning session running near you.
Page last updated: Monday, 14 September 2026 8:00:13 PM