Firefighters are looking down the barrel of a busy summer, following a report that states the Border region will have an “above normal” fire season.
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The Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook released this week states dry conditions and warm spring weather mean it is likely the fire season will start early.
“Such impacts will challenge the limited resources of fire and land management agencies and have created the situation where each fire season is likely to be more demanding than the last, in economic and human costs,” the report states.
“The temperature and rainfall outlooks for the next few months are crucial factors for influencing the development of fire threat.”
Rainfall on the Border remained at average levels between May and July, but Country Fire Authority’s District 23 operations officer, Ashley Mills, said it comes on the back of years of below average rain.
“We sort of knew that we were looking down the barrel of a heavier than normal season,” he said.
“We’re at the stage over the next couple of months where we launch into the full briefing process.”
August to October is historically the wettest time of year, but extra rain before summer is only likely to delay the fire season, not make it any less severe.
Mr Mills says District 24 also has a very busy summer ahead as staff continue to fit out the new headquarters on Moorefield Park Drive.
“We’ve got some significantly better equipment that we can use if we do get a fire like last year with the Wodonga West fire,” he said.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) also stepped up its summer preparations this week, launching the state's first large air tanker, “Thor”, in Sydney.
Albury MP, Greg Aplin, welcomed Thor’s arrival in the state.
The Hercules C130 aircraft can dump 15,000 litres of water at a time and will be used from October 1.
NSW RFS Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, said volunteers have been preparing by maintaining firefighting equipment and undergoing training.
"Warmer than normal temperatures and low rainfall are predicted, which means we need to prepare for an above average fire season," he said.
"Now we're asking the community to do their bit.”
Volunteer firefighters are also set to hold information days at Bunnings Warehouse in Albury on “Get Ready weekend”, September 12 and 13.
"People can talk to firefighters about how they can take some simple steps to reduce their risk this bushfire season," Mr Aplin said.
