SCHOOLS and children's services at Bullarto, Creswick, Daylesford, Hepburn and Trentham will close on days declared a Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger rating this fire season.

The facilities are on a a list of 728 schools and children's services identified by fire authorities as being at high risk.

Minister for education Bronwyn Pike said the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools Victoria had developed a register of schools to be subject to closures on Code Red days.

"We have taken the decision that on a day which is declared a Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating, the safest option for schools identified as being at high risk this fire season is to close and we want clear systems in place for the fire season so that every school community

that may be affected is fully informed," Ms Pike said.

Ms Pike said that ahead of a Code Red Day, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development would issue immediate warnings to staff, parents and children through its website and through schools and children's services.

The Bureau of Meteorology will declare in advance the Fire Danger Rating for each day in each weather district in consultation with fire agencies.

If a Code Red Fire Danger Rating is declared, the DEECD will issue a list of school closures immediately.

Schools Bushfire Information website can be accessed at www.education.vic.gov.au/about/bu shfires