Bushfire Risk in Sassafras, VIC: 2026 Assessment

Sassafras, Victoria· UNKNOWN
Sassafras is at high risk of bushfires due to its location within the Dandenong Ranges, surrounded by dense forests and eucalyptus trees. Dry conditions and strong winds can quickly spread fires.Updated 1 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

8.0/10

Sassafras is at high risk of bushfires due to its location within the Dandenong Ranges, surrounded by dense forests and eucalyptus trees. Dry conditions and strong winds can quickly spread fires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Sassafras is at high risk of bushfires due to its location within the Dandenong Ranges, surrounded by dense forests and eucalyptus trees. Dry conditions and strong winds can quickly spread fires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Sassafras, VIC
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
3787
Highest high-risk exposure
10.1% of land (surface flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Sassafras, Victoria, has a sassafras is at high risk of bushfires due to its location within the dandenong ranges, surrounded by dense forests and eucalyptus trees. dry conditions and strong winds can quickly spread fires. 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.

High bushfire risk due to surrounding forests.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Sassafras, 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 Sassafras including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Sassafras sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 7.3% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 73.6% 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 Sassafras.

Sassafras (postcode 3787) 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 surface flood (10.1% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (7.3% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.8% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Sassafras — 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 / ZoneBushfire Prone Area
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2009
Catastrophic

The Black Saturday bushfires had a devastating impact on the Dandenong Ranges, including Sassafras, causing widespread damage and loss of life.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Develop and implement a comprehensive bushfire preparedness plan, including clearing vegetation around properties, creating firebreaks, and having an evacuation plan.

Est. cost: Low

Flood Mitigation

Near-term

Implement flood mitigation measures, such as improving drainage infrastructure, constructing levees, and raising building foundations.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Management

Near-term

Develop and implement a heatwave management plan, including establishing cooling centers, providing public education on heat safety, and ensuring access to water and shade.

Est. cost: Low

Community Resilience Building

Long-term

Promote community resilience by fostering social connections, providing mental health support, and building capacity to respond to climate-related disasters.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Cardinia Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 1 April 2026

Explore Sassafras Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sassafras in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Sassafras may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Sassafras 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 Sassafras?

BAL ratings in Sassafras 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 Sassafras?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Sassafras 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 Sassafras?

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 Sassafras is exposed to high surface flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 10.1% of Sassafras in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 74.6% 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 Sassafras Safe from Climate Risk?

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

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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