Experts predict lower bushfire risk
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Weather experts say there is a lower risk of big bushfires in Victoria this summer, compared with recent years.
The Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre forecast released yesterday indicates an above average potential for fire in central and eastern Victorian coastal areas.
There is also an above average risk of bushfire in the west Wimmera, but below average in south-west New South Wales.
The weather bureau's Chris Lucas says the outlook is not as severe as it has been for recent years.
"I don't think the alps are as bad as they have been. The last couple of years we've pretty much gone for all of Victoria as being above normal risk, and this year we've backed off that a bit," he said.
"I'm hesitant to say there's a decline in the risk - we just don't think that it's going to be that big of a season, but there's always a risk of fires."
Keywords:chris lucas, alps, Wimmera
