AUSTRALIA is set to experience more extreme hot, dry and severe bushfire seasons according to the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology.
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The latest State Of Climate report revealed much of Australia has experienced an increase in fire weather and longer fire seasons since the 1970s.
CSIRO senior scientist Helen Cleugh said the number of days per year over 35 degrees had increased in southern Australia.
“The changing climate significantly affects all Australians through increased heatwaves, more significant wet weather events and more severe fire weather conditions,” she said.
“Some of the record-breaking extreme heat we have been seeing recently will be considered normal in 30 years’ time.”
The findings come as Wimmera emergency services prepare for a busy fire season.
In Lahuram last week, Country Fire Authority Steve Warrington said western Victoria, from Ballarat to the border, was the main area of concern in the state this fire season.
Forest Fire Management Victoria’s Wimmera district manager Russell Manning said emergency services were prepared and working together ahead of the coming fire season, having just attended the Grampians fire conference to share information. Mr Manning said this season, January and February were likely to be the greatest risk period for public land fires, as well-watered vegetation dries out. He said the recent rain brought its own challenges.
“With lots of water it’s fantastic for the Wimmera, the lakes fill up and it reinvigorates the community,” he said. “What it also brings is a high number of people to use our lovely parks and reserves.”
Mr Manning said the service was concerned the higher numbers of visitors would see a higher rate of non-compliant campfire use that could result in bushfires.
“It can happen very quickly, particularly if there’s wind around,” he said.
“People should never leave a fire unattended and should ensure they properly extinguish it when they leave.”