Concerns complacency creeping in after quieter bushfire seasons

The concerning findings are the result of an annual bushfire community survey by Victoria's Country Fire Authority (CFA), conducted in high-risk areas.

Nearly 30 per cent of people said they would stay at their properties until they felt threatened and 14 per cent would stay and defend their property.

And nearly half of people believed the CFA was responsible for protecting them during a bushfire and for protecting their home.

"We simply can't get a truck to every house during a major bushfire," CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said.

"Fire safety is a joint effort and the community needs to also take on this responsibility when living in a bushfire prone area."

CO Heffernan said potential complacency in the community on the back of a few quieter fire seasons was concerning.

"While our firefighters are always well prepared, your safety during fire season is a shared responsibility, so it's vital that you understand your local risks and take actions to prepare your family and property," he said.

"Weather patterns are changing and we're expecting warmer and drier conditions across the state leading up to summer."

Large parts of NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory have been identified as having a higher risk of bushfire this spring, as well as regions in north-west and eastern Victoria, and pockets of South Australia.

But the Australasian Fire Authorities Council warned almost the entire country could expect drier and warmer conditions than usual.

"It is important for Australians to be alert to local risks of bushfire over the coming months, regardless of their location," AFAC chief executive Rob Webb said.

It follows recent La Nina years of above average rainfall increasing fuel growth in many regions.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an El Nino alert saying it is likely to develop during spring.

El Nino generally means less rainfall than usual for eastern Australia, warmer temperatures and increased fire risk for the country's south-east.

Already July rainfall was below average nationally according to the Bureau, with Victoria experiencing its driest July since 1997.

The outlier was northern Australia which started the month with unseasonable rainfall, with some weather stations experiencing their wettest July day on record.

CO Heffernan said now was the time to prepare a household bushfire survival plan.

For people not living in high-risk areas, avoiding driving into or through these areas on hot, dry and windy days.

And keeping up to date with accurate emergency information from multiple sources including emergency broadcasters, apps, websites and social media channels such as Tas Alert, Vic Emergency and Hazards Near Me NSW.

"Fires spread quickly and they threaten lives and properties. The community needs to be prepared and they need to know their triggers to act," CO Heffernan said.

"Please don't rely on one source of information, use the multiple channels available to you.

"Use common sense and protect yourself and your loved ones."

Other actions the CFA asks include clearing gutters, keeping grass shorter than 10cm, moving winter woodpiles away from the house or sheds and pruning tree branches away from the house.

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