November 28th 2024.
Summer has arrived in Australia, and with it, the looming threat of bushfires. The country's national council for fire and emergency services, AFAC, has released its seasonal bushfire outlook, and the news is not encouraging. Many areas, particularly in the southern part of the country, have been warned to brace themselves for a potentially severe bushfire season.
Melbourne, the bustling city in the state of Victoria, is one of the areas at risk. As well as much of the state, the region just south of Adelaide, and a large portion of central Australia, are also facing a heightened risk. Even the south coast of Western Australia and the southern Carnarvon region on the west coast are not exempt from this potential danger.
According to AFAC, these increased risks are a result of high fuel loads and lower-than-average rainfall this year in certain parts of the country. In its report, AFAC highlights that the south-western region of Victoria and parts of WA have a significant amount of dry plant material, which is exacerbated by longer-term rainfall deficiencies. This, in turn, is expected to cause an earlier than normal curing process.
It's not all bad news, though. The outlook for much of eastern and northern Australia is relatively positive, with normal risk levels predicted for the entire east coast, inland Queensland, Tasmania, the Kimberley, and much of northern WA. However, AFAC cautions that even in these areas, catastrophic bushfires are still a possibility.
Despite an increased chance of above-average rainfall this summer in the eastern states, parts of SA and WA, AFAC notes that soil moisture is below average in most of southern and eastern Australia. Additionally, maximum and minimum summer temperatures are expected to be above average across most jurisdictions. As a result, communities are encouraged to remain vigilant and stay alert, even in areas where the risk of fire is deemed normal. After all, catastrophic fires can still occur during a typical bushfire season.
So, as we head into the summer months, let us all be mindful of the potential for bushfires and do our part to prevent them from becoming catastrophic events. Stay informed, stay prepared, and stay safe.
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