02/09/2026
A CFA survey has found most Victorians living in bushfire-prone areas understand leaving early is the best way to protect themselves and their families during a bushfire, but most would wait too long to act.
CFA’s annual post-season bushfire community survey found 88 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that leaving early was the safest option.
However, 81 per cent indicated they were unlikely to leave until fire was threatening the landscape.
Concerningly, 12 per cent indicated they would stay and defend.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM said the results showed important bushfire safety messages are reaching communities, but there was still work to do.
“It’s encouraging to see so many Victorians understand that leaving early is the safest way to protect themselves and their family,” Jason said.
“But knowing that leaving early is safest and knowing when to act are two different things. Leaving early means leaving the area before a fire starts, not when you can see flames or smell smoke.
“CFA’s position is clear, do not stay and defend.”
The results also showed 93 per cent of respondents have a bushfire plan, but only 13 per cent have it written down.
“A good plan should cover when you will leave, where you will go and what you will do if your preferred route is no longer safe. Writing it down and placing it somewhere you can see it can make a huge difference during an emergency.”
Expectations of emergency services also remains high, 63 per cent believed they were likely or very likely to receive assistance from fire trucks to defend their property, while 77 per cent expected emergency services to tell them when to leave.
“During a bushfire, we cannot guarantee a fire truck will be at every property,” Jason said.
“Don’t wait for a fire truck or a verbal warning from firefighters to act. Download the Vic Emergency App, set a watch zone, listen to emergency broadcasters and monitor social media and the CFA website for updates.
“With hot and dry conditions expected across much of Victoria this spring, now is the time to prepare.
“The best way to prepare now is to attend a Get Fire Ready event this October, speak with your local brigade, understand your risk and make sure your plan is ready before a fire starts.
"Last year, we saw 537 brigades directly engage more than 40,000 people about fire safety at Get Fire Ready events. This year we’re hoping to increase that number.”
For more information about Get Fire Ready, visit the CFA website.
