Bureau of Meteorology: Fire Weather Warnings

Wind, temperature, humidity and rainfall all combine to affect the behaviour of bushfires. In Australia there is a system of assessing these in conjunction with the state of the available fuels to determine a measure of "fire danger", or the difficulty of putting out any fires which may occur. The Bureau of Meteorology issues two types of product to alert the public when conditions are likely to be dangerous - Fire Weather Warnings and Total Fire Ban Advices.

The Bureau's fire weather services have been developed in close consultation with the fire authorities in each State and Territory to best cater for local requirements. We issue Fire Weather Warnings when the rating on the fire danger scale is expected to be extreme over an area. This is usually assessed over our weather forecast districts but in New South Wales the Rural Fire Service has set up a system of NSW Fire Areas so we align our fire weather warnings with these areas in that State.

The information contained in a fire weather warning will be:

• The office which issued the warning
• The local time, day and date that it was issued
• A description of the relevant meteorological conditions and fire danger
• The area affected
• The time period for which it will be in effect

Fire Weather Warnings are distributed through the media and to fire agencies and other key emergency services organisations. They are normally issued in the afternoon for the following day so that they are available in time for the evening television and radio news services. However, they may be issued at any time that the need is recognised. They are renewed at regular intervals, generally at major forecast issue times, and amended immediately if the need is recognised. If there is a Fire Weather Warning current we will mention this in State/Territory and District weather forecasts for that area.

In South Australia the fire authorities have agreed that if the conditions warrant a fire weather warning then a Total Fire Ban will always be issued so in this State only there is no need for separate warnings and fire ban advices and the Bureau only issues fire ban advices.

Sample Fire Weather Warning

Total Fire Bans

The Bureau of Meteorology doesn't have the power to declare a Total Fire Ban. This responsibility resides with designated fire agencies in each State and Territory, however in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Victoria we issue fire ban advices to assist in publicising them. We also include the existence of fire bans, when they are current, in our weather forecasts and warnings.

Sample Fire Ban Advice

Further information about bushfires and bushfire weather is available here.

Return to Main Warnings Information Page

Last updated November 2004