Catastrophic forecast park closures

Many of Victoria's parks and forests are bushfire prone areas. While they are great places to enjoy, during some weather conditions they are not safe places to be.

Victoria has adopted the Australian Fire Danger Rating System. Fire Danger Ratings tell you how dangerous a fire could be if one started. 

On days of forecast Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Parks Victoria will close parks and forests (including state forests and national parks) for public safety.

Some parks or visitor areas which are judged to be at a lower risk of bushfire may remain open, such as those in inner-urban areas. 

For your own safety, do not enter parks or forests on days of forecast Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating. If you are already there you should leave the night before or early in the morning if safe to do so.

You may not receive a personal warning or see signs indicating that the park or forest is closed. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility and anyone entering parks and forests during the bushfire season need to stay aware of forecast weather conditions and alert to signs of fire such as smoke or emergency vehicles.

Some parks and picnic areas are regularly closed on a day of Total Fire Ban or forecast Extreme Fire Danger Rating. For more information on Total Fire Bans or Fire Danger Ratings visit cfa.vic.gov.au or call the VicEmergency Hotline – 1800 226 226.

On days of Extreme Fire Danger Ratings you should reconsider plans to visit parks and forests, and if you are already within a park or forest the safest option is to leave the night before or early in the day.