Leaving now is the safest option. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
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For weeks now, such messages have been repeated and reinforced by authorities as the North East and Southern Riverina fight a long and continuing battle against bushfires.
Many heeded the call, travelling away from the fire zones, but others chose to remain and now say that decision actually saved homes.
"A lot of those local fellas know how to fight fires," he said.
As Mr Andrews himself pointed out, the question whether to stay and defend or go remains "a difficult balancing act".
IN OTHER NEWS:
Experienced farmers often do, indeed, know what they're doing and to think they would leave their homes and livelihoods potentially unprotected is probably unrealistic.
But is it also fair to add one more thing for firefighters to consider in an emergency?
Yes, we're warned they may not be able to help, but judging by what we've already seen from our brigades, if they can, they will.
Arguments may be made both ways, but one factor that can't be disputed is the amount of information now available as people ponder their choices.
Nearly half of the 173 Black Saturday victims were classed as vulnerable because they were younger than 12, older than 70 or suffered from an acute or chronic illness or disability.
Almost 11 years later, improved communication, systems and forecasting, infused with memories of 2009, mean these demographics are far more likely to leave a fire-prone area before the danger strikes.
Homes, stock, land and, tragically, lives have been lost this summer and our efforts to help those affected must continue.
But lessons have been learnt by authorities, families and the whole community, as more stay or go choices are made with eyes open.