Victoria's fire season outlook 'potentially major'

Date
    November 20, 2014


Victoria's fire season forecast has been upgraded from average to "potentially major", with authorities warning residents to prepare for a "long, tough summer".   

The updated Southern Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2014-15 was released on Thursday based on predictions that the state's summer will be drier and hotter, with less rainfall, than initially anticipated.

"Record October warmth across much of southern Australia has caused a rapid drawing of moisture from the landscape which is raising expectations of high fire danger in the south eastern states," the outlook says.

"Rainfall since August has been below average to very much below average across most of Victoria."   

The outlook indicates that all parts of Victoria, except the Mallee and East Gippsland, can expect "above normal" fire potential.   

The "potentially major" fire warning has been extended to areas including Wyperfeld National Park in the state's far northwest, the Otway Range east of  Melbourne and the foothills of South Gippsland, Latrobe Valley and Wilsons Promontory National Park in the state's southeast.

The new outlook comes amid reports Victorian towns ravaged by bushfire are still without mobile phone coverage.

Minister for Bushfire Response Kim Wells told Fairfax Media on Thursday it was possible that someone who wished to report a fire in an isolated area may have to drive until they have mobile phone reception before contacting authorities.

However, Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley sought to assure residents authorities were well prepared for the fire season.

"We [have] held 17 multi-agency exercises and regional briefings across the state to prepare fire and emergency services and agencies in the lead up to the fire season," Mr Lapsley said.

"We also have a record fleet of 46 [planes and helicopters] providing water bombing and air intelligence capabilities."

Mr Lapsley also said fire and emergency services had improved their warning systems based on public feedback.

"This includes the addition of 85 new state-of-the-art automated Fire Danger Rating signs and emergency radio broadcasting for a further 35 Victorian towns," he said.

Mr Lapsley said this fire season had started earlier than previous years', but noted it was not unusual for grass fires to flare up in November.

"The message to all Victorians is not to wait and see – don't hold off until the weather warms up or for a fire to start," he said.

He also advised residents to familiarise themselves with the three different warnings: Advice, Watch and Act and Emergency Warnings.

"These may not be issued in any particular order and the first you could hear about an incident could be via an Emergency Warning," Mr Lapsley said.

"You should never wait to receive an official warning before you leave. Bushfires can start quickly and threaten homes and lives within minutes. The safest option is to leave early on days of Severe, Extreme or Code Red fire danger."

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victorias-fire-season-outlook-potentially-major-20141120-11qlpb.html#ixzz3JaL49Ga9

longweekend58 wrote on Nov 20^th, 2014 at 4:07pm:


Just like the sheeple whom trusted Tony:

Garfield. wrote on Nov 20^th, 2014 at 6:34pm:

MumboJumbo wrote on Nov 20^th, 2014 at 6:43pm:



Yes Longy says:

Labor knows voters are stupid enough to believe them so they promise anything and everything.

I say

The Liberals know voters are stupid enough to believe them so they promise anything and everything.

Bobby. wrote on Nov 20^th, 2014 at 6:51pm:



One day you will express an actual opinion other than mindlessly agreeing with toenail.

Bobby. wrote on Nov 20^th, 2014 at 7:19pm:


only one???  your memory is as weak as your backbone.

'I wont oppose PM RUdd..."

'I have not offered the job of foreign minister to Bob Carr' (24hrs before appointing him)

and the rest.

you have the memory of a goldfish.