Large parts of the country face increased fire risk this summer, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council says.

At-risk areas include WA’s southeast coastline and central west, and the SA coastal southeast region and lower Eyre Peninsula, according to its seasonal outlook.
Victoria’s southwest and far west regions, parts of the northeast and the Mornington Peninsula face similar threats, as do parts of central northern and central southern NSW.

“The dry winter and spring period across southern Australia means the landscape is well primed for bushfires,” council CEO Rob Webb said. “Communities should be ready for bushfires and have a plan in place. We hope the rains come, but it makes sense to plan as if they don’t.”

AFAC says increased fire risk means a higher number of significant blazes are likely in the outlook period compared with average.

Here is a summary of the outlook for the states and territories
NSW: Due to dryness, above average temperatures, higher than normal grass fuel loads and a mixed rainfall outlook, areas of central NSW are predicted to have above normal fire risk this summer.
ACT: There is a normal risk of bushfire. The long-range outlook for summer predicts warmer conditions, with average to slightly above average rainfall.
Victoria: Increased risk is indicated for most of the state’s western region, the north-east and the south-west Gippsland area, including Mornington Peninsula and Greater Melbourne.
Tasmania: Normal bushfire risk is expected for summer. Risk will be strongly dependent on the timing of rain events.
SA: The state enters summer with expanding areas of serious rainfall deficiency in the south. Above average maximum and minimum temperatures are expected this summer.
WA: The Mallee and Esperance Plains bioregions and Balladonia are expected to face heightened fire risk. Fuel availability is raising risk in the Nullarbor, Yalgoo and southern Carnarvon bioregions. Very dry areas, particularly in the Warren, Jarrah and Swan Coastal Plain bioregions, have an increased fire risk.
Queensland: High fire danger is likely around Mount Isa and in grass-rich regions such as Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders.
NT: Above normal fire risk is expected north of the Barkly Highway in the Mitchell Grass Downs through to Elliot, extending south of the Plenty Highway to the Queensland border. Fire risk is likely to be above normal in unburnt areas from Kintore to Alice Springs and south into the Finke, and the top of the Simpson Desert through to south of the Davenport Ranges.