But this season’s major bushfire threat has seen her have a change of heart and she’s now prepared to pack up and go in the event of a blaze.

The state’s bushfire season has been upgraded from above normal to major following record warm October weather, a new Climate Council report released on Tuesday said.

The report also pointed towards climate change as a factor increasing the risk of bushfires in Victoria and lengthening the fire season.

The report found that Victoria is the most bushfire-prone state and that severe fires are influenced by record hot, dry conditions.

The state’s notoriety of being ravaged by bushfires is expected to increase with more extreme fire danger days expected in the future.

For Ms Woods, who lives on the Colac-Ballarat Road, the risk this year was too great to stay.

“Last time I stayed until police told me to leave, this time I would just pack up and leave,” she said. “I just don’t think it’s safe. It’s just not worth a life.”

Ms Woods said preparing her home for the bushfire season was hard work, but necessary.

“There is so much fuel on your own property, let alone the debris. I’m on two acres, so keeping grass to 10 centimetres can be difficult,” Ms Woods said.

CFA Western District 15 operations officer Archie Conroy said the region’s weather patterns had provided high amounts of fuel ahead of this season’s bushfire season.

“We have seen a dry spring this year, although the grass has dried out early, it also means that the bush is extremely dry,” he said.

A Fire Ready plan is essential for every household to prepare for the case of an emergency evacuation, Mr Conroy said.

david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au