Prescribed burn focus as fire risk changes in autumn

The influence of La Niña on Australia’s climate in recent months means that fire agencies and land management departments can take advantage of milder autumn weather conditions to conduct prescribed burning, according to the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: March – May 2021, released today by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre.

La Niña has had a pronounced effect on fire potential since spring 2020. More rain than usual in many locations has helped to reduce the fire risk.

In the coming months, below normal fire potential can be expected in parts of Victoria and far northern Queensland due to wet conditions and damp vegetation and soils.

In contrast, dry conditions mean that parts of central and southern Queensland inland from the coast have been assessed as above normal fire potential.

The risk of grass and crop fires continues in the coming months, particularly where rain has fallen to create good growing conditions, explained Dr John Bates, Research Director at the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre.

“Autumn will still see hot and windy days that raise the fire risk in some locations.

“But when the weather conditions allow, the March to May period is a good time of year for prescribed burning.

“You may have already seen this in your local area, as fire agencies and land management departments make the most of the weather conditions to reduce the fire risk for coming years.

“Fire management is a year-round business to help combat the risk for fire seasons to come. However, in northern Australia, the good wet season means that prescribed burning will be difficult in the coming months,” Dr Bates said.

The Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook is produced quarterly to assist fire agencies and land management departments in making strategic decisions for year-round fire management, such as resource planning and prescribed fire management to reduce the negative impacts of fires. 

Download the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: March – May 2021 here.