Fire authorities are encouraging residents throughout Alpine Shire, particularly on rural properties, to review their fire plans and prepare for the warmer weather and increased fire risk ahead.
Ovens Valley CFA group officer, Brett Michie, said spring rainfall will determine what kind of fire season the area will experience.
"As usual, residents in the North East and Ovens Valley should be preparing their properties for the upcoming fire season, as we do each year," he said.
"Cleaning gutters, moving fuel loads further away from your properties and also reviewing fire plans are essential steps you can take now for your safety.
"Knowing what you're going to do on an extreme fire danger day is vitally important."
According to the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for spring, Victoria is likely to experience an early start to the fire season, with drought-affected areas facing an increased risk.
In the past 18 months, Victoria has experienced low rainfall across most parts of the state, which has nevertheless resulted in increases in fuel such as dry plant material and vegetation, able to support significant bushfire potential.
While winter rainfall across the North East ranges could minimise the chance of fires in forests, a lack of rainfall in spring could result in above-normal fire potential leading into summer.
Green growth in paddocks during spring is also likely, but underlying dryness may result in early curing, which influences how easily a fire can ignite and spread.
“Our brigade members have been working hard to prepare for the upcoming fire season, but as always, fire safety must be a shared responsibility with community members," CFA chief officer, Jason Heffernan said.
"Residents living in high fire-risk areas must take their preparation more seriously.
“The response from the community over coming weeks will make all the difference.
“We’re urging Victorians to take small steps to prepare and plan with their families before it is too late.
"Clear your winter leaf-litter, tidy up around your homes and have your plan in place, so you know what to do if a fire breaks out near you.
“Take a moment to sit down with your household and make a plan so everyone knows what they need to do and where they need to go if a fire threatens your local area.
“It’s easy to panic and make poor decisions if you’re not prepared, and the last thing you want in an emergency is to become trapped.
"Leaving early is your greatest form of protection."
Eastern and Northern Victoria is forecast to have a normal level of bushfire risk for spring, with a wetter outlook forecast for northern Victoria.
“Our emergency services are well prepared for a possible early start to fire season and have been undertaking briefings including multi-agency exercises to ensure we are as prepared as possible," Emergency Management Commissioner, Tim Wiebusch said.
"Not just for fires but for all types of emergencies including floods and storms.
“Communities need to understand their local risks and prepare early, including how to access emergency information and warnings.
“Download the VicEmergency app to check the Fire Danger Ratings and receive vital emergency information, tune into your local emergency broadcaster and never rely on one source of information.”
To research what to do ahead of this fire season, visit: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare