Central Victoria’s fire season is likely to begin earlier than normal this year, but fire conditions appear to be “normal”.
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The Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook released on Friday said that rain in the central region meant soil moisture was relatively high.
Warm dry conditions mean the fire season is likely to start earlier than normal across the state.
The outlook said there was some uncertainty around how much dryness would carry over from previous seasons, and how quickly the warm dry conditions forecast for spring could increase flammability in forests.
Other parts of the state are expected to experience a more severe fire season than average.
Forest Fire Management Victoria District Manager Paul Bates said FFM was ready to begin a spring slashing program to prepare urban areas for the summer season.
Mr Bates said current conditions suggest that the fire season in central Victoria would begin earlier than normal, as forest areas were drier than average.
“Central Victoria has had below average rainfall in 2018 and it is expected to be remain warmer and drier than average,” Mr Bates said.
“Some recent rain has lead to growth in forests and paddocks, increasing fuel loads, but underlying conditions remain dry. The soil moisture levels are lower than last year.”
FFM will be undertaking works slashing, mowing and clearing tracks in 700 different parks, forests and reserves in central Victoria.
Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Echuca, Maldon, Eaglehawk and Heathcote will all benefit from nearby works.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the severity of the fire season would depend on a number of factors, including the amount, location and timing of rain.
Mr Crisp said that while traditionally Victoria’s highest risk period for fires was January and February, recent unseasonal fires meant there was uncertainty about when fires would occur and how intense they would be.
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