With bush, scrub and grass fires already burning in parts of the state, and the first Total Fire Ban of the season issued, the 2020-21 fire season for Victoria is now well underway.
Despite this, the latest Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for December 2020 to February 2021 (External link) indicates an ‘average’ fire season for the state, which is in line with earlier predictions from the September-November 2020 outlook.
With Victoria’s rainfall expected to be above average, it is likely that soil moisture will persist in many areas and lead to average fire potential across most of the state.
A notable exception is north-east Victoria, where there is potential for above normal grass fire activity due to significant grass growth.
“While it’s been cold and wet in some parts of the state, this is now the time for individuals, families and communities to think about preparedness ahead of increased fire activity later in the year,” said Acting Emergency Management Commissioner, Deb Abbott.
“What is the plan you are putting in place for yourself, your family, pets and stock? As part of your plan, think about the clear triggers and when you will enact your plan.”
Victoria’s emergency management sector has been preparing for this summer since September, with the added complexity and overlay of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Emergency Management Victoria will continue to work closely with the sector to ensure the safety of Victorian communities, with the delivery of more resources and support to protect the community this fire season.
This includes thousands of our dedicated volunteer and career firefighters from across all agencies, as well as a record fleet of 51 aircraft, which will help fight fires and keep communities safe.
Victoria also has a surge capacity of up to 100 aircraft that can supplement the Victorian core fleet and can be called on when needed.
For more information on how you can prepare for fires and other emergencies, visit the VicEmergency website (External link).
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.