ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
AS the cold weather ends and spring makes its way in, experts warn that Gippsland is at increased risk of bushfires. Most of the country is on high alert for bushfires this spring as the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) predicts a warm and dry spring outlook. The Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring, released on Wednesday, August 23, warns that Victoria’s drier-than-average conditions with below-average rainfall and increased grass growth will contribute to a potentially dangerous fire season. The bushfire outlook for spring is developed by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) and supported by the BoM and state and territory fire and land managers. Following three years of wetter-than-average La Niña conditions and the strong drying trend in far east and central Gippsland, there is a higher-than-normal threat of fires, including communities close to bushland, especially where vegetation was untouched in the 2019-20 fires. Speaking to The Age, Robb Webb, The Australasian Fire Authorities Council chief executive, said the large parts of Australia that didn’t burn during the Black Summer fires would pose a deadly threat this fire season. In addition, the fire season is expected to begin earlier than in the previous two years throughout parts of central, western, and northern Victoria. The remaining portions of the state are forecast to have normal fire danger ratings, but on the other hand, hot, windy circumstances could continue to pose a fire risk. Gippslanders, in particular, are being warned to prepare for bushfire season now as the region has been made well aware of the impacts of bushfires, given the devastating 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires and the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires. Country Fire Authority Chief Officer, Jason Heffernan, said the CFA was ready to protect their communities. “Victorians can expect a warmer spring and earlier start to the fire season this year. However, CFA crews across the state are prepared to protect their communities once again,” he said. “Our members are continuously working very closely with their communities and our interagency partners to prepare for the high-risk weather season.” “Fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and Victorians, so we urge people to begin preparing their family and property for the upcoming fire season.” The BoM warned that climate change influences the frequency and severity of dangerous bushfire conditions, including temperature, environmental moisture, weather patterns and fuel conditions. Significant changes have been observed in recent decades towards more dangerous bushfire weather conditions for various regions of Australia. This heightened bushfire threat for the country comes after an increased fire threat internationally. An estimated 111 people died in the fires burning in Hawaii last month, with 20,000 residents evacuated from fires in Yellowknife, Canada and a myriad of fires ripping through Europe recently. It’s important for communities to understand their local risks. You can keep up to date with the Fire Danger Ratings on the VicEmergency app and VicEmergency website. Op-Ed: Australia can learn bushfire management from Canada – Page 10.
