Victorians warned of hot summer and increased fire risk

VICTORIANS can expect a warmer than average summer with increased fire risk across many parts of the state.

The Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for summer indicates there is still long-term severe dryness across south-west and western Victoria despite spring rainfall.

Areas include the far south-west, the northern slopes of the Otways, Mount Buangor State Park, Wombat State Forest and Central Highlands, parts of Mornington Peninsula and south-west Gippsland, and the north-central area including Kinglake, Yarra Ranges and parts of Elidon.

Warmer than average temperatures are also expected to cause forests to dry faster.

The rest of Victoria is forecast to have a normal bushfire risk, which means they are still likely.

“With a warmer than average summer likely, our CFA crews are ready to respond and support communities as we do every year, and now is the time for Victorians to prepare their properties and create a plan,” CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said.

“Our volunteers have been engaging closely with their local community members to get fire ready and our agency counterparts to ensure we are best prepared for the increased risk of fire this season.

“Despite recent rainfall, hot, dry, and windy conditions will still challenge us.”

A mix of water bombing aircraft, air supervision and aerial intelligence gathering aircraft are positioned around the state which can be moved quickly based on risk.

There are also thousands of emergency services personnel from the Country Fire Authority, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, Victorian State Emergency Service and other support agencies.

The Australian seasonal bushfire outlook for summer is created by AFAC, the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services, and supported by the Bureau of Meteorology and state and territory fire and land managers.