Years of drought had left the state's trees and grasses tinder dry and vulnerable to the slightest spark.

What followed, the so-called "Black Summer" bushfires, possibly surpassed even the most dire predictions made by those in the know.

It was only through the super-human efforts - there's really no other way to describe them - of firefighters, as well as the myriad of other community members who helped both on the frontlines and behind the scenes, that prevented even greater loss of life and property.

Through testimony provided in recent months to both the NSW bushfire inquiry and the Royal Commission into National Disaster Arrangements, we have learned just how steeply the odds were stacked against the people tasked with protecting our communities.

From the failure of communications technology to out-of-date firefighting equipment to a lack of land clearing to the impact of climate change, these inquiries will expose significant shortcomings in our state and national bushfire planning.

A wetter-than-average winter, with more rain forecast for the spring, means the region is less likely to see a repeat of the massive forest fires from last summer.

But with more rain comes more fuel on roadsides and in paddocks, increasing the risk of fast-moving grass fires once temperatures start hitting the high 30s and early 40s from late December.

While the signs are promising that we can avoid a repeat of last year's devastating fires, we cannot afford to be complacent.

Sure, we might be currently shivering through a shockingly cold weekend, but we all know just how quickly the Riverina's weather can change and the temperatures start to soar.

So, as we emerge from this cold and wet patch, please be mindful of the need to have a fire plan in place to protect you and your family, and prepare your properties as best you can for what is to come.

All the best for the week ahead,

Ross Tyson, editor