During a bushfire, Halls Gap residents can visit the Lake Bellfield viewing area and the town's visitor information centre.

The safe place for St Arnaud is Lord Nelson Park.

The safe areas are part Township Protection Plans developed from the Royal Bushfire Commission.

Halls Gap and St Arnaud are among 52 towns identified as bushfire risks in Victoria this fire season.

The CFA, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria Police, State Emergency Service and Northern Grampians Shire Council had input into the safer places protection plan.

At a Northern Grampians council meeting last week, Cr Wayne Rice pleaded for Halls Gap and St Arnaud residents to understand safe places would act as a last resort.

"The message is going to be very clear when a catastrophic day is expected - leave home now. There is no good waiting," he said.

Cr Rice said residents should not expect the CFA to provide adequate protection at the safe places.

"Gone are the days of expecting the CFA to be there," he said.

Cr Andrea Cooper said there was no safety guarantee and residents had to understand that by getting to places of last resort they could still die. She called on residents to adhere to messages to leave early if there was any fire danger.