The latest bushfire outlook has pointed to an increased risk of fires across large areas of Australia this summer. Authorities are warning temperatures may continue to soar above average.
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00:00So, Australia has entered its high-risk weather season and we will expect over the next four
00:06months to see tropical cyclones, bushfires, severe weather, floods in some part of the
00:12country. Looking at the Bureau's long-range outlook, we're looking at increased odds of
00:17a wet December, particularly across most of the east and into the north-west of WA. We're
00:23also seeing evidence that we will see a warmer-than-average summer with a risk of extreme heat, particularly
00:29across the north. With warm oceans around Australia, it's likely to be quite sticky
00:33and humid at times and that is quite a big significant factor if you are vulnerable in
00:39some way, so that's the elderly or those with medical conditions who are sensitive to extreme
00:43heat. So, that wet December will raise the risk of flooding this summer, particularly
00:48in the east, and it will also raise the possibility that the tropical cyclones that we will see
00:55will be more severe than those that we've seen in the past. Now, this is a collaborative
00:59approach. That money, that $1 billion, $200 million a year is supported by state and territory
01:06governments and in this year we're going to be seeing well over $360 million which will
01:12be spent on projects in the coming year in the round two of the Disaster Ready Fund.
01:19So right now, nationally, we are better prepared than we have ever been. We are connected,
01:24we are coordinated, we are working very closely with states and territories who have primary
01:29responsibility but we're also working very closely with the private sector, not-for-profits
01:36to make sure, again, that they are aware of the risks and the challenges that we face
01:40as a nation and how we can actually work together.
01:42Our government is focused on working with the states and the territories ahead of this
01:47season to do this and there are many things that people in the community can do to prepare
01:53as well. So the key messages to the community are this, understand the risk in your local
01:58area. Have a plan and a kit, the things you'll take with you if you need to leave.