Warmer weather conditions could see Southern Downs bushfire season worsen

As winter comes to a close around the region, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts significant warm and dry weather ahead of a potentially devastating bushfire season. Full details here.

Bushfire season has already begun for the Southern Downs and Granite Belt as the region comes out of a three-year wet period.

Rural fire brigades around the region have been quick to keep residents up to date with the ever-changing weather conditions, as the warmer and dry weather makes a comeback.

Warwick Rural Fire Brigade group officer Alan Payne said the bushfire season for the Southern Downs has only worsened since his appointment to the role in 2009.

“The fires have gotten worse and it’s mainly because we had that large drought period,” he said.

“2019 was probably our worst year, the fires just went for months and months. We started in September and went right through until December.”

Warwick Rural Fire Brigade group officer Alan Payne.

Although the region has recently faced mainly non-threatening grassfires, Mr Payne said the risk was now higher after a spate of wet weather in previous years.

“In the past month about 80 per cent of the fires we’ve responded to have been to permit burns that have escaped,” he said.

“At the moment it’s up to the fire wardens as to whether they write out burn permits, and we’ve been advised to only write out permits in extreme circumstances.”

Mr Payne said the best advice for residents was to ensure all rubbish was clear from homes and properties and to keep on top of lawn maintenance.

Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Hugh McDowell said the Southern Downs and Granite Belt regions can likely expect dryer than average conditions over the coming months.

“Between September to November there’s a 60-65 per cent chance of warmer conditions for the region,” he said.

“There is looking to be a drop off (of warmer conditions) between October-December period.”

Mr McDowell said the chance of the region facing El Nino is a high possibility after seeing three years of La Nina’s wet conditions.

Residents from both regions should contact their local fire brigade for any control burn permits and advice on how to keep on top ahead of this year’s bushfire season.

Originally published as Warmer weather conditions could see Southern Downs bushfire season worsen