Australians need to be prepared for above average fire risk this year, according to the 2019 Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook. The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre (BNHCRC) has published its pre-fire season outlook, which takes into account the amount of fuel, as well the existing and forecast weather conditions. Source: Timberbiz
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, David Littleproud, said all Australians needed to work with their community, neighbours and friends to prepare for another tough bushfire season.
“All parts of Australia are at risk because of the hot and dry start to the year,” Minister Littleproud said.
Above normal fire potential is forecast for densely populated parts of Australia along the east coast of Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, as well as parts of southern WA and South Australia.
This year has been the fifth-driest start to a year on record, and the driest since 1970 and it is especially the case in the south which has experienced the driest January to July on record (January to July 1902 is the second driest). Hence the east coast of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, as well as parts of southern Western Australia and South Australia face above normal fire potential.
The BNHCRC 2019 Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook covers all states and territories and provides information to assist fire authorities in making strategic decisions such as resource planning and prescribed fire management to reduce the damage caused by bushfire.
The BNHCRC draws together all of Australia and New Zealand’s fire and emergency service authorities with leading experts across a range of scientific fields to explore the causes, consequences and mitigation of natural disasters.
The BNHCRC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2019 can be found at www.bnhcrc.com.au/hazardnotes
