BOM notes bushfire risk

While the east coast can expect a wet summer, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned the chance of increased rainfall in the South West will not reduce a severe bushfire risk. Residents have again been told to be prepared for bushfire season, with forecasts tipping extreme conditions and above-average temperatures even in milder parts of the South West during peak summer. The bureau’s head of operational climate services Andrew Watkins said even short periods of hot and windy weather would raise the fire risk. “This year we need to be extra-careful about grass and crop fires, particularly across inland areas and in the South West of the country where we have had good growth over winter and spring,” Dr Watkins said.