Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2016

Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2016

The Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2016 shows a mixed picture for fire potential, with the exceptionally warm and wet conditions through winter likely to continue into spring. Every month of 2016 has seen Australia's national mean temperature above the long term average, although with the breakdown of El Niño, rainfall has been above average across most of the country - winter has seen the second wettest on record. The pattern of heavy rainfall following a strong El Niño is not uncommon and is tied to the warming of ocean waters around Australia. Spring is likely to see above average rainfall across Tasmania. 

The Outlook map shows the bushfire outlook for southern Australia through to the end of 2016. (See Hazard Note 18, July 2016).

The Tasmania Fire Service is in preparatory mode for the season ahead. We need landowners to start preparing their own properties now, as bushfire readiness is a shared responsibility – if you own the property, you own the risk. Information about preparing your property is available at fire.tas.gov.au.

Normal predictions for Tasmania does not mean it is a low risk situation and we all need to remain vigilant – this is not a time to relax, because we will still have bushfires. The outlook predicts a normal bushfire season which does not mean low risk. Normal means that we may still get regular big bushfires, and we can expect a number of total fire ban days and severe or extreme fire conditions over summer.

Download the Hazard Note at www.bnhcrc.com.au/hazardnotes/019