During the fire season, emergency service agencies will assess the risk of fire in areas and provide a rating.

These are usually issued the afternoon before the expected conditions, but you should keep monitoring the situation in case the ratings change.

Here's what the ratings mean and some guidelines on what action you should take.

Code Red or Catastrophic

Issued when conditions are considered at their worst to try and control a fire.

Issued when conditions are considered at their worst to try and control a fire. Ember attacks and spot fires could occur up to 20 kilometres ahead of the fire front.

Ember attacks and spot fires could occur up to 20 kilometres ahead of the fire front. Buildings aren't expected to withstand fires burning in these conditions.

Buildings aren't expected to withstand fires burning in these conditions. Fire agencies say you shouldn't expect a fire truck to arrive and defend your property.

Fire agencies say you shouldn't expect a fire truck to arrive and defend your property. Schools and other services may close on days of this fire risk. Parks, reserves and forests may also be closed to the public.

Schools and other services may close on days of this fire risk. Parks, reserves and forests may also be closed to the public. It's recommended that you avoid travelling to high-risk bushfire areas when this rating is applied.

It's recommended that you avoid travelling to high-risk bushfire areas when this rating is applied. Leaving high-risk areas early in the day, or even the night before, is recommended when a Code Red or Catastrophic rating is declared.

Extreme

Issued when conditions are extremely hot, dry and windy.

Issued when conditions are extremely hot, dry and windy. In these conditions if a fire takes hold it will be hard to control, unpredictable and fast-moving.

In these conditions if a fire takes hold it will be hard to control, unpredictable and fast-moving. Spot fires are also likely to start and move quickly, coming from many directions.

Spot fires are also likely to start and move quickly, coming from many directions. Homes that are built to withstand a bushfire and are well prepared may provide safety, but you should only consider staying with your property if you are prepared to the highest level.

Homes that are built to withstand a bushfire and are well prepared may provide safety, but you should only consider staying with your property if you are prepared to the highest level. Fire agencies say leaving bushfire-prone areas early in the day is the safest option on days when this rating is declared.

Severe

Issued when conditions are hot and dry and possibly windy.

Issued when conditions are hot and dry and possibly windy. If a fire starts in these conditions it may be uncontrollable.

If a fire starts in these conditions it may be uncontrollable. Fire agencies say well-prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety from fire.

Fire agencies say well-prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety from fire. If you're not prepared it's recommended you leave bushfire-prone areas early in the day when this rating is declared.

Very high, high and low-moderate