GEARING UP: Helicopters will again be based out of Mansfield for this coming fire season.

Little spring rainfall has authorities bracing for early start to danger period

Written by STEVE KELLY.

THE bushfire season is highly likely to begin one month earlier this year due to a shortage of rain across Victoria, escalating the probability of a hectic season for firefighters.

A seasonal bushfire assessment released by the bushfire cooperative research centre (CRC) last week, has predicted the early start to the season, and normal to above-normal fire potential in the high country.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Goulburn fire district senior management officer, David Wells, said he is expecting a fairly hectic fire season and if the weather pattern of minimal rain continues, it will begin earlier than normal.

"We’ve begun to employ additional firefighters and go through the preseason work as usual and we’ll have to see what weather comes our way," Mr Wells said.

"The CRC is predicting a bad bushfire season and any forest environment which has been long unburnt and hasn’t been treated in any other way, has the potential to be a problem spot for us."

Mr Wells warned residents living on the edge of state forest to have a good look at their fire management plans and to take action regarding clean up.

"We’ve been doing some spring fuel reduction burning and some slashing, but this will not stop fires from occurring and burning," he said.

Predictions of above median maximum temperatures and below-median rainfall puts out a forecast of worsening conditions with coastal areas highlighted as above-normal potential for bushfire in Victoria.

Fellow colleague DSE North East fire manager, Peter Farrell, said he was especially nervous about the conditions in the foothills of the alpine ranges.

"We’ve still got that underlying dryness in the soils, which means we’ve got similar dryness in the forest fuel," Mr Farrell said.

"This is of great concern to us, particularly in the foothill country, which has had less rain."

People should remove fuel hazards from around their property such as clearing of sticks and branches, and grass levels should be maintained.

For more information contact Mansfield DSE on 57331200.