This Hazard Note details the Northern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2015. The Outlook provides information to assist fire authorities in making strategic decisions such as resource planning and prescribed fire management, to reduce the negative impacts of bushfire. Download the Outlook by clicking 'download' at the right of screen.
The above normal outlook is due to high rainfall in parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory during the wet season, leading to strong vegetation growth. This is despite the wet season ending relatively early. It is a similar story on the central Queensland coast, with Severe Cyclone Marcia resulting in locally significant rain and subsequent strong vegetation growth. In north west Queensland the above normal outlook is due to rainfall deficiencies for the past three wet seasons. This is combined with above average temperatures that are expected over coming months.
The Outlook is a product of the Northern Australian Fire Managers Forum, which was held in Cairns, Queensland, in June 2015.
All the presentations from the Forum are online here.
North Australia Fire Managers forum, field trip to Atherton Tablelands.