THE BUSHFIRE AND NATURAL HAZARDS COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE'S BUSHFIRE OUTLOOK
* Queensland
- With severe bushfires currently raging across the state, above-normal fire potential will remain until there's substantial rainfall
- Below average rainfall and above average temperatures forecast for the coming months
* NSW
- Risk of above-normal fire activity in forested coastal areas and west of the divide, particularly mid-to-late summer
- In the west, this is due to a lack of rain and the likelihood of warmer-than-average temperatures
- Benefits from spring rain along coast expected to be short-lived due to predicted warmer summer
* ACT
- "Challenging" summer expected, with rainfall over the past month not expected to continue
- Above-normal fire risk remains, along with the continued occurrence of heat and dust
* Victoria
- Much of East Gippsland has experienced two consecutive years of record low autumn/winter rain
- Forests there now significantly more flammable than normal, with unusually early bushfires in July/August
- These areas can expect above normal fire potential this season; normal bushfire risk for the Great Divide, Alpine, central, north, south and western regions
* Tasmania
- Fire activity in the period up to the end of December should be relatively normal
- Recent rain has helped moisten vegetation to near normal levels for early summer for most areas
* South Australia
- Parts of the Riverlands, Murraylands, the Flinders Ranges, APY Lands have above normal fire potential
- Potential for bushfires in residential areas of the Mount Lofty Ranges due to fuel growth, dry conditions
* Western Australia
- Above-normal fire potential for Darling Range, south west corner, South Coast, Mallee, Esperance Plains, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Carnarvon, Mallee, Coolgardie regions and Nullarbor, Hampton, Great Victoria deserts
- Reduced risk for Swan Coastal Plain, Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, and Warren regions due to previous bushfires and prescribed burning.
(Source: The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2018-19: November)
