Fire season looms: Eastern suburbs brace for elevated risk starting December 23

With the Fire Danger Period (FDP) across the eastern suburbs set to begin in two weeks, local fire brigades are gearing up alongside the state’s emergency services to prepare for what is predicted to be a higher-risk season.

The FDP for Knox, Manningham, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges will begin at 1AM on Monday December 23.

After a drier-than-average autumn and winter, much of Victoria faces an elevated fire risk this summer, particularly in the state’s west, northeast, and southwest Gippsland, as well as the Mornington Peninsula and parts of greater Melbourne.

The Bureau of Meteorology is also forecasting a higher chance of warmer maximum day and night temperatures over summer.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) District 13 Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Matt Hirst said the conditions mean locals need to stay vigilant as the region heads into fire season.

“What we’re seeing is the result of months of dry conditions,” he said.

“Despite recent rainfall, fine fuels such as grasses and leaf litter on the forest floor will dry out very fast, which could lead to conditions for fires to spread quickly.”

Hirst said as much as brigades can prepare, the responsibility was also on the general public to be safe around burn-offs and prepared early.

“Our crews are ready, but we need everyone to do their part to minimise risk,” he said.

“Preparing your property is one of the most important steps you can take before fire danger days arrive.”

Victoria’s emergency services remain prepared for the potential of fires, with at least 54 dedicated aircraft positioned across the state, including a mix of water bombing, air supervision and air intelligence gathering aircraft.

According to the Australasian Fire And Emergency Services Authorities Council’s (AFAC) Summer 2024 Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, there is an increased risk of fire for most of western Victoria, southwest Gippsland, greater Melbourne and north-east Victoria.

The current level of landscape dryness in these areas is strong enough that, without significant rainfall, the flammability of fuels in forests, woodlands and heathlands will remain high with elevated potential for fires to start and spread.

The outlook also highlighted mean temperatures for April to October were the third highest on record since 1910.

The CFA is warning Victorians to be extra careful this fire season, as last season saw the number of vegetation fires jump by more than 50 per cent compared with the previous fire season, including 449 incidents recorded during Total Fire Ban days.

For more information on the current Fire Danger Ratings and warnings, visit the VicEmergency website.

For more information on how to make a fire plan, visit fireplanner.vic.gov.au

Image Credit: Ilya Kerig/Unsplash and AFAC