Victorians warned to prepare for ‘difficult and dangerous’ bushfire season

As a record-breaking drought continues across the state, Victorians are being warned to brace for a tough bushfire season in a hotter-than-usual summer.

Victorians are being warned to prepare for a “difficult and dangerous” bushfire season following record-breaking droughts.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has also forecast above average temperatures throughout summer in Victoria, and an increased chance of “unusually high maximum temperatures” in central Victoria.

The weather warnings follow months of devastating drought conditions across much of regional Victoria earlier this year, with areas in the state’s west, southwest and north-central experiencing record low rainfall.

The weather warnings follow months of devastating drought conditions across much of regional Victoria earlier this year. Picture: Andrew Brownbill

The elevated fire risk has prompted the state government to pump an extra $80m into preparations, including bringing an additional 14 firefighting aircraft online one month early.

Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch, speaking alongside Premier Jacinta Allan in Ballarat on Wednesday, said despite the rainfall in recent days an above average fire risk remained a concern.

“As of today we have 23 aircrafts that are now strategically located across the state,” he said, adding that by December that number would more than double.

“That will see us well equipped and ready for what is expected to be an above average fire risk, particularly as we head into the summer months.”

More than 130 seasonal firefighters are being trained on top of the usual 500 ahead of bushfire season. Picture: Supplied

Ms Allan said most of the extra $80m would go towards bringing online more of the state’s aerial fleet and had been requested by emergency service chiefs ahead of a predicted “difficult and dangerous” bushfire season.

“That gives you a sense of just how concerned our agencies are after the fire season,” Ms Allan said.

The Premier, however, would not say whether the funding was being pulled from the deeply unpopular Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund.

Water storage capacity will also get a $10m boost, with funding also allocated to communications campaign, Get Fire Ready.

More than 130 seasonal firefighters are also being trained on top of the usual 500 for the season.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said parts of regional Victoria were loaded with fuel, such as dead plant material and vegetation, which had the potential to exacerbate bushfires. Picture: Supplied

Last week, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) declared the first Fire Danger Period (FDP) for the 2025-26 fire season for municipalities in the northwest and southeast of the state, including: Mildura, Baw Baw, South Gippsland, Wellington, East Gippsland and Latrobe shires.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said parts of regional Victoria were loaded with fuel, such as dead plant material and vegetation, which had the potential to exacerbate bushfires.

“We need Victorians to play their part and ensure their properties are ready and they have a plan in place,” he said.

“It is going to be a challenging fire season and with the commencement of fire danger periods, it is a good reminder to ensure those last bits of preparation get done.”

Originally published as Victorians warned to prepare for ‘difficult and dangerous’ bushfire season