VICTORIA is less likely to see long-running bushfires this summer, but could face higher grass fuel levels than normal.
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The warning comes as part of the Bureau of Meteorology's severe weather outlook for October to April, released on Monday.
Fewer days of extreme heat may hit Victoria this summer, but heatwaves are expected to last longer and be more humid.
Longer, more humid heatwaves can put human health at a greater risk.
The state also faces an increased risk of widespread flooding.
The Bureau had already warned a La Nina weather formation was likely to drive heavy rainfall and possible flooding across Victoria.
The State Emergency Service has urged Bendigo residents to stay vigilant about flash flooding risk.
The Bureau's severe weather outlook shows the La Nina system as likely to bring more rain to eastern Australia.
This rainfall is likely to mean increased humidity.
Bureau climatologist Greg Browning said the bushfire potential was very different this year, after catastrophic fires last summer.
"This fire season we're expecting wetter than average conditions in eastern and northern Australia, so long running large bushfires are less likely, however a wetter spring can lead to abundant grass growth, which could increase fire danger as it naturally dries during summer," he said.
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The Bureau's general manager of decision support services Sandy Whight warned against complacency, despite the lower fire risk.
"Southern Australia is one of the most bushfire prone places in the world in any summer,:" she said.
"It's important to remember that, right across Australia, even short periods of hot and windy weather will raise the fire risk, so communities need to have their bushfire plans ready."
Ms Wight said prolonged, humid heatwaves posed a higher risk to human health.
She urged people to monitor the Bureau's heatwave service.
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