Camping & hiking

If you are planning to go hiking or camping in bushfire-prone areas, remember there may be no safe place to seek shelter if there is a bushfire.

On Code Red (catastrophic) Fire Danger rated days, parks and forests are not safe places to be and they will be closed to the public. For your own safety, do not enter parks or forests on these days and if you are already there you should leave the night before, or early in the morning.

On days of Extreme and Severe Fire Danger Ratings you should reconsider plans to visit parks and forests and consider using these days to explore Victoria's many interesting cities and towns.

If you are hiking or camping, carry a portable AM/FM radio, and listen for information about fires from ABC local and commercial radio. If there is any smoke in the area or you hear of a fire burning in the area, leave immediately and seek information.

If caught by fire, seek shelter in a solid building. If there is no building available, use any structure or natural feature that may help to block radiant heat. Avoid seeking refuge where there are trees, scrub, long grass or leaves.

Remember, you may die if you are caught in the open with fire around you.