Bushfire Risk in Lakes Entrance, VIC: 2026 Assessment

Lakes Entrance, Victoria· UNKNOWN
Lakes Entrance has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.Updated 3 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.0/10

Lakes Entrance has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Lakes Entrance has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Lakes Entrance, VIC
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
3909
Highest high-risk exposure
16.3% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Lakes Entrance, Victoria, has a lakes entrance has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The Victoria fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

Areas to the north and west of Lakes Entrance are designated as bushfire prone.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Lakes Entrance, this may mean shifts in bushfire risk levels over the coming decades, making property-level BAL assessment increasingly important.

Use ClimateNest for a complete address-level bushfire risk report for Lakes Entrance including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Lakes Entrance sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 16.3% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 71.3% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Lakes Entrance.

Lakes Entrance (postcode 3909) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are bushfire (16.3% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (6% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.9% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Lakes Entrance — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent
BAL Overlay / Zonehttps://www.planning.vic.gov.au/
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

Bushfires in East Gippsland caused significant smoke haze in Lakes Entrance and surrounding areas.

2009
Major

The Black Saturday bushfires impacted the region, with significant smoke and ash affecting Lakes Entrance.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees, seawalls, and improved drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Strengthen Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire mitigation measures, such as fuel reduction burns and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Create a heat action plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Low

Plan for Coastal Retreat

Long-term

Develop a long-term plan for managing coastal erosion and sea level rise, including potential relocation of infrastructure and communities.

Est. cost: Very High

Council & Emergency Services

East Gippsland Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 3 April 2026

Explore Lakes Entrance Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lakes Entrance in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Lakes Entrance may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Lakes Entrance has a notable bushfire risk. Check your specific property for BAL ratings through ClimateNest or your local council.

What BAL rating applies to properties in Lakes Entrance?

BAL ratings in Lakes Entrance depend on the property's distance from classified vegetation, vegetation type, and slope. A site-specific assessment under AS 3959 is required to determine the exact BAL rating for any property within the suburb.

Does bushfire risk affect insurance in Lakes Entrance?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Lakes Entrance may face higher building insurance premiums. Insurers assess bushfire risk based on BAL rating, fire history, and proximity to bushland. Some insurers may restrict cover in very high-risk locations.

What bushfire mitigation measures help protect homes in Lakes Entrance?

Effective bushfire mitigation includes maintaining cleared asset protection zones, using ember-proof mesh on vents, installing metal gutter guards, using non-combustible building materials, and maintaining defendable space. Consult the Victoria fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What share of Lakes Entrance is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 16.3% of Lakes Entrance in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 71.3% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Lakes Entrance Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Lakes Entrance, Victoria, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$69 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections