Parts of Gippsland at heightened risk.

East and West Gippsland will be a focus for emergency services this summer as very dry conditions over consecutive years has resulted in higher than normal bushfire conditions.

Similar to last year, the outlook indicates Victoria will have a “normal” fire season. However, in East and West Gippsland, extending to the Great Dividing Range, conditions are above normal.

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the outlook was an early indication of what Victoria could expect this summer season.

“The severity of fires in Victoria will still depend on several factors, including the amount, location and timing of rain in the months leading up to and including over summer.”

“Much of Gippsland has now experienced three consecutive years of significantly low rainfall in autumn

“This is a shared responsibility.”

and winter.”

Most farmers in the west of the state can expect increased pasture and cropping due to rain.

CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington said summer in Victoria meant there would be fires. “We will again work with all our communities to help keep them safe. We also urge our farmers across the state to take care while harvesting and storing crops and hay to avoid fires caused by machinery and self combusting haystacks.”

Mr Crisp said the emergency management sector’s preparations were already under way.

He said the briefings for emergency management personnel were so that the sector’s people understood the outlook, knew the risks and were prepared to respond to emergencies and work with communities.

“While emergency management agencies are preparing, it’s also important the community understands their own risk and is actively preparing.”