Hard fire season looms
El Nino’s hotter, drier weather adds to farmers’ woes as ...
VICTORIA’S southwest is facing an early and above average fire season this year, the region’s CFA boss has warned.
The warning comes after the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) declaration of an El Nino Alert, with chances of a spring El Nino — with below average rainfall and above average heat — about three times the normal risk.
CFA Southwest region Assistant Chief Officer Rohan Luke warned of the early and tough fire season, with parts of the region already suffering from very dry soil, compounded by low rainfalls throughout September.
“Our most recent indications suggest an earlier fire season than normal, with significant growth in most areas,” Mr Luke said. “We expect that we could also experience an above normal fire season in the southwest.
“Our planning for the season is well under way with briefings and exercises occurring earlier than normal given the potential for a longer fire season this year.
“We expect that this season we could find ourselves supporting fires in other parts of the state as early as October and November, and would see our local risk increasing into early December, unless we get significant rains in the east of our region.”
The warning comes after the BOM issued an El Nino alert on Tuesday, while also suggesting the early stages of an El Nino event could already be under way.
An El Nino in spring typically means below average rainfall across eastern and northern Australia and above average temperatures in the southeast.
BOM long-range forecasting manager Dr Andrew Watkins said an El Nino event would further hit any farmers already struggling with drought conditions.
“Like everyone in the Australian community, the Bureau of Meteorology is hoping regions being affected by drought will recover soon. However, if an El Nino were to occur, we’re more likely to see drier and warmer than average conditions,” Dr Watkins said.
Swan Bay farmer Corrina George said she was concerned by the El Nino alert after her paddocks received little reprieve from a dry start to the year.
“It was drying off, and I was really panicking, then we got that rain yesterday, but it wasn’t nearly enough,” Ms George said.
“The tanks are actually very low at the moment, so we’ve almost had to give up watering the veggie garden as well, just to make sure we can go through to the next patch of rain. I may not even be able to grow any hay.
“We actually had a good lambing season, but now we haven’t got any food to feed them.”
Mr Luke advised communities to stay vigilant of weather conditions leading into and during fire season.
“Locally communities should reduce fuel loads around their properties, clean up around their homes and ensure they have a well thought out and communicated plan for a potential fire,” he said.
“Our communities should pay attention to weather conditions and monitor the Emergency Management Victoria app for emergency warnings, however the best practice is to be aware of your surroundings and any incidents around you so that you can keep safe, and in turn help us, help you.”
‘We actually had a good lambing season, but now we haven’t got any food to feed them.’