 Fire danger ratings are not a weather forecast. They tell you how bad a fire will be when one starts. Your safest option is to leave the night before or the morning of a Code Red Day. If a fire starts on a Code Red Day, you will not be able to defend your home. Days of extreme and severe fire danger can also produce intense fires and you should be prepared to leave early. This summer, check fire danger ratings on the Vic emergency website. Waiting to see what happens in a bushfire could cost you your life. You might think a fire won't reach your home. You might think you can always get out. You might think the fire won't be that bad. But that's what everyone thinks, until they've faced a fire. On high risk days, make the decision to leave early. It could save your life. Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne. Fire warnings are issued when a fire has started and you need to take action. Always use more than one source for fire warnings. To find warnings, visit the Vic Emergency website or CFA Twitter or Facebook pages. Download the Fire Ready app, listen to local radio or ring the Victorian bushfire information line on 1-800-240-667. On high risk days, stay alert and keep an eye on what's happening in your area. Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne. Over three quarters of bush and grass fires in Victoria are either deliberately lit or caused by reckless acts. Losing control of a burn-off, operating machinery near grassland or bush or throwing away a cigarette could cause a devastating fire. Recklessly causing a fire is a crime. You could be charged and fined up to $34,000 and jailed for up to 15 years. For more information, visit the Vic Emergency website. Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne. If you're travelling around the state this summer, check fire danger ratings before you leave home. On extreme or severe days, it's better to be in the cities or the towns. Never travel in the bush on a code red day. Check fire warnings by tuning into local radio, go into the Vic Emergency website or by calling the Victorian Bushfire Information Line. You can also download the Fire Ready Smartphone app for warnings and advice. Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne.