Australia prepares for fire season

Australia prepares for fire season

Parts of Central Australia and northern WA at higher risk

Posted on 30.08.2022

Spring and its warmer temperatures are just around the corner, but rain is dampening the fire risk for most of the country.

Much of the rest of southern Australia, including Tasmania, South Australia, southern Western Australia as well as Queensland are all sitting on normal fire potential.

But there are a few places that are potentially in the hot zone.

Parts of Central Australia and northern WA have above-average fire potential going into spring.

The heightened risk is thanks to recent rain triggering rampant grass growth, which is likely to dry out quickly as the temperatures rise.

New fire danger rating system

Even though it is a relatively calm year, it always pays to keep an eye on the warnings.

From September a new Fire Danger Rating System is being rolled out around the country.

The new system has only four levels, which are consistent around the country and underpinned by new scientific methods that take into account the varying vegetation types and their fire potential.

Key points:

  • The majority of the country has normal fire potential heading into spring
  • Regions in eastern NSW and Vic have a below-normal rating, thanks to persistent rain on the back of low vegetation regrowth from the 2019–20 fires
  • Parts of Central Australia and northern parts of WA have above-normal fire potential this spring due to unusually abundant fuel loads

Don’t be complacent

“If you live in a bushfire-prone area, tidy up around your property. Take the cool wet spring and the late start to the season is an opportunity to prepare well and have a plan.

“A cool, wet spring is no excuse for complacency if you live in a bushfire-prone area.”

With several months still to go until the hottest time of the year, authorities will be monitoring developments closely.

Source
ABC News

See also: Are You Bushfire Prepared?

 

 

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