The highest risk will be across central and western Victoria in both grass and bush areas, says the outlook.

The Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook is released by the Bushfire and National Hazards CRC and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) and is used by fire authorities and emergency agencies to make strategic decisions about bushfire preparedness.

Developed by the Bureau of Meteorology in conjunction with fire and land managers, the seasonal outlook predicts Victoria’s bushfire season to start later than in previous years with the potential for fire risk to increase in January and February.

In the report, Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said fire preparedness would need to focus on western and central Victoria including the urban interface areas.

“With increased rain and higher temperatures leading to considerable grass growth it will be critical for people living in interface areas to be prepared, and to be prepared early,” he said.

“This means the community needs to plan for fire prevention works and take action to complete the works before summer commences.

“Strong grass growth will prompt the need to consider a two stage management process this season, that is the first phase beginning in November with follow up works in December and January as there will be significant regrowth.”

CFA Group Officer Alistair Cuzens agreed the coming season was shaping up to be a very busy and dangerous one.

“Look, it does open up the question of whether relocating the air-crane at this point in time is the right choice,” said Mr Cuzens.

“The outlook identifies that the west of the state into South Australia is where the focus of our firefighting energies will need to be this summer, and the EMV report backs that up.

“We have to remember how effective these aircraft were at Scotsburn, at Mt Bolton and even at Dereel. And this Ericson serves not only Ballarat, but Ararat, Stawell and Horsham”