"It is a place of last resort. It's not a guarantee you're going to live," he said. "It is not a refuge."

Echoing the sentiment was CFA operations officer David Renkin, who said NSPs should not be "a priority in people's fire plans".

"That's not the intention of it," he said. "There's real potential for these neighbourhood safer places to turn pear-shaped.

"Get out early and stay away - do not leave last minute to one of these places."

Mr Renkin said residents should not expect to be rescued from an NSP.

"Our role is to combat the fire. We will do things within our power to get our resources there, but we don't want people to believe there will be CFA resources there, because it might not happen."

The stern warning came as Yarra Ranges Council and the CFA continue to evaluate proposed NSPs in Dandenong Ranges, one of 52 high-risk fire areas identified by the State Government. A list of more than 60 locations is being processed but is yet to be finalised.

Mayor Len Cox said assessment criteria included the need to have:

* Greater than 140 metres separation from a fire hazard, particularly vegetation, for a building.

* Greater than 310 metres separation from a fire hazard, particularly vegetation, for an open space.

Locations should also have the owners' consent and be available for use at all times.