The National Council for Fire & Emergency Services is warning residents of South Australia that despite above-average rainfall this year, intense grassfires in rural and regional areas are still being predicted following the release of (AFAC*) summer outlook.
Releasing its Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer 2022, AFAC said good rainfall across most of SA in October has most of it in above-average rainfall deciles.
“This has reduced the immediate risk of bushfires to the already cured areas of the northeast and northwest pastoral country,” AFAC said.
“Forecast outlooks remain favourable, suggesting ongoing below average temperatures and above average rainfall; however, the rainfall figures can indicate relatively small amounts of rainfall to exceed a very low average for summer months,” it said.
AFAC said grassland conditions remained the greatest concern in December, while they expected forest areas to remain at reduced risk until the New Year.
It said curing was increasing in western and eastern of the country, leaving them at increased risk of fire as warmer conditions return.
“Communities, particularly in rural and regional areas, will face threats from fast-moving, intense grass fires in high grass growth areas as conditions cure and warmer temperatures return through summer,” AFAC said.
“Prescribed burning in the Mt Lofty ranges has been limited however, burns have been completed in between rain events, and fuels have dried sufficiently to allow burns to be accomplished.”
More information about AFAC’s Summer Outlook can be accessed at this PS News link.
