Fire authorities warn favourable conditions could change quickly

Fire authorities have warned current favourable seasonal conditions may turn very quickly and rapidly increase the region’s fire risk.

The latest Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for December through to February continues to indicate an “average” fire season for the state. 

Above average rainfall has placed the Gippsland region in a fire safe position for the start of summer but residents have been warned not to be complacent.

Forest Fire Management Victoria acting deputy chief fire officer for Gippsland Kelly Rash said predicted conditions were not unlike those proceeding the 2013 Aberfeldy fires.

Ms Rash said before the Aberfledy fire temperatures had been peaking in the 30s and there had been little rainfall.

She said it was an example of how quickly conditions can change and dry out.

The 75,000 hectare Aberfeldy fire claimed the life of one man, destroyed 22 houses and killed more than 200 livestock.

Providing an overview of the seasonal outlook, said above average rainfall was predicted for West Gippsland.

“It’s looking a lot better than it has been in previous years.

“The rainfall isn’t guaranteed but it is predicted and there is an underlying dryness,” she said.

Ms Rash said the Bureau of Meteorology suggested there was a 65 to 75 per cent chance of exceeding the median rainfall between December and February.

But, it will be a season of hot nights, with predictions for exceeding the average minimum temperatures and slightly above average temperatures through the days.

CFA south east region assistant chief officer Trevor Owen said the bureau indicated the La Nina pattern would be delayed but when it does come it will bring more growth in grasslands.

“We are in a much better position this year but the grass will continue to dry out over the next few weeks,” he said.

Mr Owen said the bushfire season hadn’t begun as early as it did last year.

But, he said, FFMVic and the CFA had been busy with fire preparedness activities.

Mr Owen said community engagement would increase in the next few weeks.

He said community engagement had been challenging in a COVID environment.

After last year’s horrific fires, Mr Owen said there was a lot of interest in the volunteer firefighting program.

“We have kept those new recruits engaged but they couldn’t train until the last six weeks because of COVID,” he said.

More than 300 new volunteers have joined CFA brigades across Gippsland.

Preparations for this summer have been occurring since September, to ensure Victoria’s emergency management sector is ready for what is to come.

Residents have been told now is the time to prepare and plan your home, your family and your communities for the risk of fire.