State fire commissioners from around the country have gathered to deliver the 2017 Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook.

September 5, 2017

Fire commissioners from around the country have warned all states to prepare for what is set to be a bad bushfire season for summer 2017/2018:

NSW

Greater than normal chance of bushfires due to a dry winter. 

The ranges, coastal fringe and the Central West are particularly at risk.

Approximately 2300 fires during August.

VICTORIA

Serious fire season due a winter of insignificant rain.

Outer-metropolitan Melbourne to central and eastern Victoria at greatest risk.

Residents urged to start planning for their family, pets and properties.

QUEENSLAND

Dry conditions similar to last season.

Fire season has well and truly started already.

Expecting to break last year’s 200-day long fire season.

ACT

Record dry winter.

Facing one of its most significant fire dangers since the disastrous fires of 2003.

Canberrans urged to start making their survival plans now.

SA

Above average to normal bushfire risk across the state.

Northern South Australia is already experiencing bushfires.

Southern areas will be at greater risk later in the season as spring vegetation growth dries out following a winter of considerable rain.

WA

Bushfire season already started in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions in the state’s northern half.

Increased fuel loads due to late summer rain and the driest autumn in five years.

Expecting a busy season of fires similar to the disastrous 2016 season – “there could be fires anywhere anytime”.

TASMANIA

Expecting bushfires after a record dry winter.

The Derwent Valley and coastal strip down the east coast of Tasmania will have above average fire danger.