Before and During a Fire-OLD

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CFA has a wealth of resources to help you understand your fire risk and know what to do before and during a fire.

This section discusses the importance of leaving early, and how a well thought out bushfire survival plan can help you if you live or holiday in high-risk bushfire areas of Victoria.

You don't have to live near bush to be at risk of fire. Grassfire can be just as dangerous as bushfire; know what to do if you live close to grass in a rural area or where the suburbs meet grasslands.

In this section

Your Guide to Survival-OLD

This guide provides essential information aimed at anyone who lives, works or travels in Victoria so that they are prepared for the summer fire season.

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Leave Early-OLD

Leaving early is the safest option to protect yourself and your family. Leaving early means leaving the area before a fire starts – not when you can see flames or smell smoke.

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What to take with you-OLD

As part of your bushfire plan, put together an emergency kit

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Staying safe when you travel-OLD

Victoria is one of the world's most fire prone areas. If you are travelling or holidaying anywhere around the state this summer, make sure you're FireReady.

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People who need help planning to leave-OLD

All Victorians should be prepared and ready to act if bushfire threatens. But some people may need help to prepare their fire plan and to leave early.

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Staying safe in the car-OLD

Driving during a bushfire is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury or death; always plan to leave early to avoid this situation.

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Your Bushfire Plan-OLD

You don’t have to live in the country to be at risk of fire. If you live near areas that have significant bush, forest, long grass, or coastal scrub, then you need to plan ahead for the fire season.

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Fire Ready Kit-OLD

The responsibility for surviving the fire season is shared between emergency services and the community. You have a role in ensuring our community's safety.

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Preparing your tourism business-OLD

Read about bushfire planning for tourism businesses, how you can create a bushfire plan for your business, what your plan should contain and information in different languages. Our CFA tourism and bushfire planning module makes the process easy to un ...

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Pets and Bushfires-OLD

When preparing your bushfire survival plan, you also need to plan and prepare for the safety of your pets.

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Back Up Plans-OLD

Fires are unpredictable and plans can fail. Having a back-up plan that identifies your shelter or last resort options may save your life if you are caught in a fire.

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Defending your property-OLD

Defending your property is risky - you could be seriously injured, suffer psychological trauma or die. Leaving early is the safest option to protect yourself and your family.

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Bushfire planning with babies and toddlers-OLD

If you have babies or toddlers at home and you live in an area at risk of bushfires, plan to leave quickly and know what to pack if there’s a fire nearby.

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Page last updated: Tuesday, 22 September 2026 1:14:17 PM