OF THE 173 people who died on Black Saturday, six were tourists caught on unfamiliar roads and three were house-sitting.
While the prospect of a season of high fire risk should not deter tourists from visiting Yarra Ranges this summer, it is vital to plan ahead and monitor local conditions.
Holiday makers face the same risk as residents in fire-prone areas across Victoria.
If you plan to travel or go on holiday in areas close to bush, coastal areas or parklands in Victoria, you must carefully plan how you will respond when fire threatens.
You are potentially at risk this fire season if you go camping, stay at a caravan park or beach house, visit or house-sit a property or just spend a weekend or a day in a fire-prone area.
The following are tips for planning a safe holiday.
Check the Fire Danger Rating daily, which predicts the impact of forecast weather conditions on the level of fire risk.
They are forecast up to three days in advance on the CFA website, in media reports or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.
Plan activities carefully on hot, dry and windy days.
Avoid bushwalking or picnicking in the bush. Instead, visit a shopping centre or cinema in town, or visit an area of low fire risk.
Contact your nearest Visitor Information Centre for tips on other tourist activities in safer areas such as larger regional cities.
Avoid camping or hiking in fire-prone areas during days with a Fire Danger Rating of Severe, Extreme or Code Red (Catastrophic).
On these days, it’s better to visit safer places such as cities and towns.
Certain beaches may also be safer unless they are narrow and have a lot of vegetation close by.
Planning and caution will improve your safety and enjoyment of the outdoors. A Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating is your trigger to leave the night before or early in the day.
Avoid any non-essential travel during days of high fire danger until the warning period has ended.
If you have booked a holiday that coincides with a day of Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating, delay your trip until the danger period is over.
Do not rely on electronic mapping devices like GPS or mobile phones as they may be affected by smoke and local conditions. Keep a hard copy of local maps.
Find out if there is a Neighbourhood Safer Place in your area in case a fire strikes without warning. If there is not one designated for your area, identify a well-prepared property or open space to use in an emergency.
Make sure you have a relocation kit accessible at all times, even on outings. Include protective clothing for all family members, such as long-sleeved cotton tops, pants, sturdy shoes, hats, drinking water, important medications, woollen blankets, mobile phone and charger.
If fire threatens while you are outdoors:
•Leave the area immediately if it is safe to do so. Do not wait to see smoke and flames.
•If you cannot leave safely, shelter at a designated Neighbourhood Safer Place of last resort, or an enclosed building while the fire passes.
•Stay near the exit so you can escape if the building burns.
If there is no cover:
•Find a large, open area as far as possible from trees and vegetation, or shelter behind a rocky outcrop or wall or in a large dam or lake.
•Some people have even sheltered in caves, gullies or large animal burrows.
•Avoid slopes and hilltops – avoid being above the fire. Move to burnt-out areas as soon as you can.
•Do not seek refuge in above-ground tanks or swimming pools.
•Cover exposed skin with dry natural-fibre clothing.
