Since Black Saturday, Victoria has adopted a five-level national fire danger rating to help residents understand information about fire danger.

Region 13 operations manager Graeme Armstrong, of CFA Headquarters Lilydale, has rejected rumours aired on radio last week about firefighters refusing to attend potentially dangerous blazes in Lysterfield Park and the Dandenongs.

"Irrespective of what the fire danger rating is on any particular day, it does not mean there is a blanket ban on brigades coming out.

"We'll still turn out but firefighter safety is paramount... [and] risk assessment is made on the day [depending] on weather conditions and access to tracks."

He said firefighters were proactive in their approach to fighting fires and would change tack as necessary taking into consideration wind direction, access and fuel load.

"This may mean we attack the fire from another part or request air support — it's all about preparing a safer environment for our firefighters to work in."

Mr Armstrong has confidence in incident controllers to maintain the CFA's strict safety culture when fighting fires, saving lives and property.

An inquiry into the death of five CFA volunteers in Linton, near Ballarat, in December 1998 helped change the culture and shape safety policies.

"The impression firefighters put their own lives at risk to fight fire has very much changed culturally since Linton."

Mr Armstrong reminded residents in high-risk towns to reduce fuel loads and maintain clear access to properties for added safety.