The National Bushfire Warnings Taskforce, established following the Victorian bushfires of February 2009, has developed a new fire danger ratings system for bushfires.

The purpose of the new system is to alert the community to forecast fire danger levels, and to guide people's responses to forecast conditions, and when fires are burning.

The Tasmanian Fire Service has provided this guide of what to expect and what to when different fire danger ratings are forecast:

CATASTROPHIC FIRE DANGER RATING

(Fire Danger Rating 100 and over)

Some fires will spread rapidly and be uncontrollable. There is a very high likelihood that people in the path of a fire will be killed or seriously injured. Many homes are very likely to be destroyed. Even the best prepared homes will not be safe.

You should not plan to defend any home when the fire danger rating exceeds 100 (CATASTROPHIC), regardless of any preparations you have made.

If you live in a bushland area it is recommended that you prepare immediately to leave for a safe place, and leave if fire breaks out or is burning near you. Leave well before fire threatens your home.

EXTREME FIRE DANGER RATING

(Fire Danger Rating of 75-99)

Some fires will spread rapidly and be uncontrollable. Some people in the path of a fire are likely to be killed or seriously injured. Many homes are very likely to be destroyed. Only well-constructed, well-prepared and actively defended homes are likely to offer safety during a fire.

Unless your home has a defendable space and has been designed and built specifically to withstand a bushfire, you should not plan to defend it if the fire danger rating exceeds 75 (EXTREME).

If you live in a bushland area and don't plan to defend your home it is recommended that you prepare immediately to leave for a safe place, and leave if fire breaks out or is burning near you. Leave well before fire threatens your home.

SEVERE FIRE DANGER RATING

(Fire Danger Rating 50-74)

Some fires will spread rapidly and be uncontrollable. People in the path of a fire may be killed or seriously injured. Some homes are likely to be destroyed. However, well-prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during a fire.

It is recommended that you should not plan to defend your home when the fire danger rating exceeds 50 (SEVERE) unless you have created a defendable space and ember-proofed your home.

If you live in a bushland area and don't plan to defend your home it is recommended that you prepare to leave for a safe place, and leave well before fire threatens your home.

VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER RATING

(Fire Danger Rating 25-49)

Some fires will spread rapidly and be difficult to control. There is a low chance that people in the path of a fire will be killed or seriously injured. Some homes may be destroyed. However, well-prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during a fire.

If you live in a bushland area and don't plan to defend your home it is recommended that you prepare to leave for a safe place, and leave well before fire threatens your home.

A TOTAL FIRE BAN is enforced in Tasmania when the Fire Danger Rating reaches FDR 3.

HIGH FIRE DANGER RATING

(Fire Danger Rating 12-24)

Fires can be controlled. People in the path of a fire are unlikely to be killed or seriously injured if they take shelter. Well-prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during a fire.

If you live in a bushland area and don't plan to defend your home it is recommended that you prepare to leave for a safe place, and leave well before fire threatens your home.

DURING the bushfire season, fire danger ratings forecast for Tasmania will be available on the Bureau of Meteorology website, the Tasmania Fire Service website and on the weather page of Tasmania's daily newspapers.

Listen for warnings on radio or check the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au to find out where fires are burning. Power, water supplies and phones are likely to fail in a bushfire. If power fails, listen to fire updates on your car radio.

Frequently check conditions outside your home. If smoke is blowing towards you, a fire is approaching and you should leave immediately by a safe route, away from the fire.

Don't wait for an official warning. If ash or burning embers are landing in your yard, the fire is very close and it may be too late to leave. If this is the case, take shelter in your home.

Fill your bath and all available containers with water, and actively defend your home by using the water to put out any parts of your home that catch fire. Alternatively and if time permits, go immediately to a nearby safe place.

Don't expect a fire truck or other emergency workers at your home during the fire.