WITH just 91 days remaining until the next fire season, there are fears it could bring the "greatest potential loss to life and property", a new report has revealed.
While Victorians are still coming to terms with the devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires, a paper, seen by the Telegraph and tabled at a Department of Sustainability and Environment and CFA strategic preparedness committee meeting this month, has grim predictions about the season ahead.
"The prospect we are looking at is not just another above-average fire season with above-normal losses or risks to life and property," states the DSE report, titled Fire Operational Considerations of the 2009-10 Fire Seasonal Outlook on Public Land in Victoria.
"The genuine prospect of a season with the greatest potential loss to life and property is now in sight, and as climate indicators strengthen, this looks to be an increasing likelihood."
The Macedon Ranges was mostly unscathed during the last fire season. However, according to the report, the number of fires and the areas predicted to be burnt in the state are expected to run ahead of the 30-year average. "There is across the state an observed lack of rain, increased evaporation, and the strongest predictions so far of the continuation of drier and warmer conditions."
Bushfire expert Professor Michael Reeder, of Monash University, said the findings of the report were "obvious", and there was "no reason" to think the coming fire season would be less severe than Black Saturday.
"Victoria has been in a prolonged drought and there's no reason to believe it's going to break. It's likely to remain dry, which creates a higher potential for fire.
"At this stage, it's too early to know what the fire season will be like, but if it remains dry it seems likely that we would expect a severe fire season."
The DSE report also notes a "high likelihood" of an El Nino event this year.
The fire season could begin early and be more active in the early part of the season.
Macedon Ranges Council's environmental manager Barry Whelan said the council was prepared for the fire season.
He said the council would wait for the outcome of the Royal Commission before implementing any changes, but was working on its preparations for the season.
"The council is currently working with the local brigades through the Municipal Fire Prevention Committee to carry out a review of fire breaks.
"This is likely to result in refinements and adjustments to the existing network rather than large-scale changes.
"The CFA is planning an intensive information and education program and council will be assisting with the roll-out of that program."
An interim report containing the Royal Commission recommendations is due on August 17.
Kris Perkovic, the CFA spokesperson for region 14, which includes most of the Macedon Ranges, said the organisation was planning an extensive community education and awareness campaign to be unveiled in the weeks ahead.
Woodend resident Janelle Robbins, who contacted the Telegraph in April because she was worried about a lack of action to clean up overgrown roadside vegetation near her property, said she was concerned she had not seen any noticeable changes since Black Saturday.
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