Fire authorities are warning flooded inland towns in New South Wales and drier parts of southern Western Australia should prepare for "above normal fire potential" this summer.
Simon Heemstra from AFAC, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, said the recent record rainfall in New South Wales was expected to create significant fire fuel loads in the coming months.
"If we get a few weeks of dry, hot conditions, that grass can easily turn to a cured state where it's very ready to burn," he said.
"It will probably be later in the summer when the risk is higher but really from the start of summer, in December, if we do get a period without rain, that could set us up for fire potential.
"Above normal fire potential" is defined by AFAC as a fire of such size, complexity, or other impact that local firefighters would need help from elsewhere.
New South Wales
According to AFAC's summer outlook, large parts of NSW, particularly the state's west, are expected to be facing above-normal fire potential.
"Very high grass fuel loads could result in larger, more intense fires in NSW despite the onset of cooler weather," the outlook said.
In northern NSW, Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Mark Johnson urged his community to clear fence lines and around houses in the lead-up to summer.
"Once we do get that spark it will go very quickly, so just be as alert as always," he said.
"Don't feel that we're in a comfort zone because we've just had floods because it's the exact opposite."
Western Australia
WA is expected to experience above-average temperatures and average to below-average rainfall, according to AFAC's summer outlook.
There is above-normal fire potential in parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison, central west, and southern regions of WA.
In particular, the outlook said WA's Jarrah Forest Bioregion had not had enough rain, and "below-average" soil moisture posed an above-average fire risk.
Julie-Ann Ford, the manager of the Yarloop Community Resource Centre, south of Perth, said people there were "nervous" because of the time that had lapsed since the region's devastating 2016 fires.
"A couple of years after the fires we felt quite safe, because [the bush] had been burnt but now, seven years on in January, there would be a big fuel load," she said.
Queensland
Most of Queensland has experienced mild and wet conditions during 2022, according to the outlook, with a heatwave in the Gulf country in November a notable exception.
Overall, grass fuel levels in the state were high.
"But this has been tempered with significant soil moisture from the persistent wet conditions," the outlook said.
Above-normal fire potential was expected in southern Queensland.
"Higher than usual risk in the Maranoa and Channel Country is possible if the climate delivers increased seasonal drying and curing," the outlook said.
Northern Territory
The savanna fire season was active during spring but there were "large areas" of fuel remaining in central Australia, according to the outlook.
"Residual risk remains in the Gulf, VRD [Victoria River District], and Stuart Plateau savanna areas," the outlook said.
Above-normal fire conditions are forecast for Alice Springs and parts of the Tanami region.
Tasmania
Above-normal fire potential exists in western Tasmania, according to the outlook, following a "dry spring".
In some parts of Tasmania's east coast the fire potential is expected to be "below normal" thanks to above-average soil moisture.
Victoria
With most of Victoria experiencing significant rainfall in 2022, most of the state is expected to have "normal" bushfire potential.
Notably, if fires do break out, AFAC believes fire trucks may get bogged in some parts of the state.
ACT
The ACT is expected to receive above-average rainfall this summer and relatively mild temperatures and is therefore at a "normal" fire risk.
But residents are urged to ensure they have a fire survival plan and clear around fences.
South Australia
The summer fire potential in South Australia is also considered to be "normal".
But according to AFAC's Simon Heemstra, anyone living in a "normal" risk area must remain vigilant.
"Australia is a very fire-prone landscape and so where you've been identified as having average fire potential, we could still have significant fires," he said.
