ACT emergency services are preparing for a “very different” bushfire season than the previous two.
By early August, the ACT had received sufficient rainfall to remove the “residual drought” posing a forest fire threat when Bushfire season officially kicks off this Sunday, 1 November.
Significant rainfall is expected to continue throughout Spring; with a La Niña alert in place, emergency services are anticipating forest flammability will remain low over the coming months.
The Bureau of Meteorology Climate Outlook review has stated that October to December are very likely to be warmer than average across most of Australia.
Much of the eastern two-thirds of the country are likely to see above average rainfall for the remainder of the year.
But the warmer weather and potential for strong winds will place the ACT at a higher risk for grass fires.
ACT Rural Fire Service said they have been working alongside rural land holders to conduct hazard reduction burns and mitigate the spread of bushfire into the urban fringe.
