Bushfire Threat for 2015-16 Fire Season
The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre has release its forecast for the 2015-16 Fire Season, they have noted that many areas have consistently received below average annual rainfall across successive years. This has produced a cumulative reduction in soil moisture levels and increasingly dry forests and grasslands.
In addition to these long-term trends, other climate drivers, such as the currently strengthening El Niño-Southern Oscillation event across the Pacific and the warmer waters associated with the Indian Ocean Dipole, may further increase the severity and duration of the upcoming fire season.
The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre draws together all of Australia and New Zealand’s fire and emergency service authorities with the leading experts across a range of scientific fields to explore the causes, consequences and mitigation of natural disasters
NEW SOUTH WALES
Above normal fire potential in the forested eastern parts of the state
VICTORIA
A preliminary investigation of factors affecting the fire season outlook for 2015-16 point to an above normal season across most of Victoria.
TASMANIA
There is an above normal potential for bushfire across a large part of the east coast of Tasmania
ACT
Major El Niño events tend to lead to hot and dry conditions until at least early autumn, suggesting preparations need to consider a prolonged period of fire danger
QUEENSLAND
Much of Queensland remains drought affected and as a consequence has very low grass fuel loads.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
In South Australia the outlook conditions indicate the most likely scenario is for normal fire potential across most of the state
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
In Western Australia, for the Western Gascoyne and Central West, there is normal fire potential due to average rainfall and grass growth.
Time to check and maintain adequate levels of home and contents insurance
Here are some basic maintenance tips from The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) to prepare your property:
- Clean your gutters of leaves and twigs
- Install metal gutter guards
- Repair damaged or missing tiles on the roof
- Install fine metal mesh screens on windows and doors
- Fit seals around doors and windows to eliminate gaps
- Enclose the areas under the house
- Repair or cover gaps in external walls
- Attach a fire sprinkler system to gutters
- Keep lawns short and gardens well maintained
- Cut back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings
- Clean up fallen leaves, twigs and debris around the property
- Have hoses long enough to reach around your house
- If you have a pool, tank or dam, put a Static Water Supply (SWS) sign on your property entrance, so firefighters know where they can get water
- Check and maintain adequate levels of home and contents insurance. Ensure it is up to date.
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