General News
31 August, 2023
Early start expected for 2023/24 bushfire season
Large parts of Australia and Victoria can expect an early start to this year’s bushfire season with warm, dry weather and increased vegetation growth setting a concerning trend ahead of summer. Today marks the first day of spring and with it...
Large parts of Australia and Victoria can expect an early start to this year’s bushfire season with warm, dry weather and increased vegetation growth setting a concerning trend ahead of summer.
Today marks the first day of spring and with it, a potentially earlier start to the fire season according to the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC).
According to AFAC’s recently released Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, the country’s climate influences have shifted significantly since spring last year, with above average recent rainfall resulting in increased growth, the Bureau of Meteorology is expecting spring and summer to come with above average temperatures and below average rainfall.
AFAC’s spring outlook has identified an increased risk of bushfire across large parts of the country, primarily the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, while parts of South Australia and Victoria have also been flagged as having an increased risk.
Closer to home, north-west parts of the state and the Gippsland region have been highlighted as having an increased risk of serious bushfires, while other areas are expected to have a ‘normal’ bushfire risk.
AFAC CEO Rob Webb said it’s important to be on alert this spring and summer.
“The climate influences driving increased risk of bushfire this season are widespread. Almost the entire country can expect drier and warmer conditions than normal this spring, so it is important for
Australians be alert to local risks of bushfire over the coming months, regardless of their location,” he said.
For Maryborough and surrounds, rainfall this year has so far been largely on par with previous years, with some variation in rainfall for certain months compared to previous years.
Mick Hembrow, Commander of District 2 (covering the Central Goldfields Shire), said while the bushfire risk for the local region will likely be on par with previous years, the potential for fire should never be underestimated.
“The fire risk in the coming months is expected to be normal across most parts of the state,” he said.
“The predicted development of an El Niño weather pattern will contribute to higher fire risk in some parts of Victoria compared to the last three years and there are still high levels of moisture across the state due to above average rainfall during the same period.
“This will likely result in higher grass and crop growth during spring.
“Agricultural areas with elevated grass fuel loads in central, western and northern Victoria should expect an earlier start to the fire season due to drying conditions.”
Commander Hembrow said Victoria is one of the most fire-prone parts of the world, highlighting the importance of residents preparing their properties now.
“We’re asking people to move their winter wood pile away from their homes or sheds, prune tree branches so they don’t overhang the roof or touch walls, clear gutters, keep grass short and remove leaves and twigs from around the property,” he said.
“Make sure you continue to register any burn offs through the Fire Permits Victoria website at firepermits.vic.gov.au or call ESTA on 1800 688 511.
“It’s also vital to make sure your household has a bushfire survival plan.”