Despite this, the latest Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for December through to February 2021 continues to indicate an “average” fire season for the state.
One significant update in the outlook for December to February 2021, will be the potential for above normal grass fire activity in North East Victoria. This is due to significant grass growth.
This latest outlook developed by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre with Bureau of Meteorology and relevant state fire and land managers, confirmed a similar forecast earlier in the September-November 2020 outlook.
Country Fire Authority Acting Chief Officer, Alen Slijepcevic said Victorians need to be prepared.
“As one of the world’s most bushfire-prone areas, even a normal fire season in Victoria presents a high risk to communities,” Mr Slijepcevic said.
“We urge all Victorians in high-risk areas to prepare their properties and take particular care while using harvesting and other machinery.
“Grassfires travel faster than you can run, and they jump highways, so you need to activate your fire plan on those high-risk days before a fire starts.
Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner, Ken Block added, “The forecast rainfall, mixed with warm weather, can mean grassfires are likely to be one of the biggest risks this season.
“No matter where you live, but particularly if you live on the urban fringe, you must be aware of the risks and start preparing early.
“If your property is next to grassland and a fire starts near your home, walk two streets back and keep clear of responding fire trucks.”
With the outlook for summer continuing to indicate above-average rainfall across Victoria due to the influence of La Niña, it is likely this soil moisture will persist in many areas and lead to average fire potential across the state, with the exception of the far north east. Bushfire risk in the eastern parts of the state, particularly in areas that burnt last season, has reduced thereby reducing the risk of prolonged fires.
Elsewhere in the state, shorter - duration fires are still likely to occur in drier forests and woodland/heath fuels on hotter and windier days.
Preparations for this summer have been occurring since September, to ensure Victoria’s emergency management sector is ready for what is to come with the added complexity and overlay of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
But this is a shared responsibility and Victorians should not to be complacent this summer no matter the outlook.
Now is the time to prepare and plan your home, your family and your communities for the risk of fire.
Like we have seen countless times before, in Victoria it will be hot and there will be fires. But summer is not just about fires, it’s about heat, floods, storms and water safety.
Emergency Management Victoria will continue to work closely with the emergency services sector to ensure the safety of Victorian communities with the delivery of more resources and support to protect the community this fire season.
For more information on how to stay updated, visit, https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
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