The CFA has launched township protection plans for 23 communities in the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley as part of Fire Action Week.

The 2011-12 fire season is expected to see a higher than usual grass fire risk, with large fuel loads a result of strong growth after a wet winter and spring.

CFA district 13 operations manager David Renkin said conditions were approaching those of the last major grassfire season, in 1977 - "there's also real potential for us to have a number of 'spike' days, where the fire danger rating is 35 and above".

"History tells us that after an extreme event such as Black Saturday, there is a heightened sense of awareness, and then complacency and apathy sets in. There's always the potential for a fire to grow very quickly and get into the residential area very fast."

Areas in or near Knox with TPPs include Belgrave, Belgrave South, Belgrave Heights, Upwey, Tecoma, Lysterfield, The Basin, and Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully.

Each plan contains township-specific information such as local risks, bushfire planning and preparation advice, community maps and key contacts for emergencies.

The plans show some towns, such as Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully, do not have a community fire refuge - also known as a neighbourhood safer place or place of last resort - as the entire area is at risk during a major bushfire and residents should flee to somewhere safer.

Mr Renkin said leaving early on a Code Red day was always the best option.

As part of Fire Action Week, the Ferntree Gully, Scoresby and The Basin fire brigades are among the 18 fire stations in outer eastern Melbourne to open their doors to the public on 'CFA Sunday'.

To download a copy of the TPPs, visit cfa.vic.gov.au