‘Summer of grass fires’: Authorities warn of increased fire risk
By Bianca Hall
Authorities are warning of heightened bushfire risks this season, with drier-than-average conditions over winter leaving a build-up of dead and dry vegetation fuel across Victoria.
The Country Fire Authority upgraded its warnings for the west and south-west of the state, with CFA District 16 assistant chief fire officer Steve Alcock saying the Ararat and Pyrenees regions had large areas of flammable grass and vegetation.
The CFA has warned dry conditions in much of the state could pose a nasty bushfire risk this season.Credit: Forest Fire Management Victoria
“The community needs to be aware of the heightened danger and take proactive steps to ensure their properties and families are prepared,” he said.
“The soil is very dry, and grass is curing faster than last year. We expect grasslands to fully dry within three weeks, increasing the fire risk in the region.”
The west and south-west of the state are considered particularly at risk of bushfires, with grass fires likely in the north-east.
Brett Myers is the assistant chief fire officer for district 24, which covers the Wodonga region on the NSW border. He predicted “a summer of grass fires”.
“If you can take the time this week to finalise preparing your properties, we strongly suggest you do so, whether that is reducing vegetation around your property or clearing your gutters.”
Hundreds of residents in the regional Queensland town of Dirranbandi near the border with NSW were evacuated amid bushfires on Tuesday, and several people were hospitalised suffering smoke inhalation.
It comes as the Copernicus Climate Change Service released fresh data showing last month was the second-hottest October on record, after October 2023. This year is “virtually certain” to be the warmest on record, and the first year to be 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial temperatures.
Dr Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the European Union-funded Copernicus, said October was 1.65 degrees above pre-industrial temperature averages.
A grass fire burning in Strathallan, Victoria in 2019.Credit: Nine News
“After 10 months of 2024, it is now virtually certain that 2024 will be the warmest year on record and the first year of more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels,” she said.
“This marks a new milestone in global temperature records and should serve as a catalyst to raise ambition for the upcoming Climate Change Conference, COP29.”
Bureau of Meteorology climate specialist Caitlin Minney said conditions in the east of the state were forecast to be wetter than average between December and February, but remain drier than average in the west and north-east.
“We are leading into quite dry conditions over Victoria, even with a wetter-than-average forecast likely, but not guaranteed, for summer.”
The bureau’s snapshot of October temperatures also showed last month had the second-highest mean temperatures on record, and forecast warmer-than-average conditions over summer.
From November 18, permits will be required to light open fires or burn off in the Wangaratta, Benalla, Mansfield, Mount Buller, Indigo, Alpine, Towong, Wodonga and Falls Creek regions.
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