Australia's fire weather seasons
Bushfires can happen at any time of year in Australia when weather and fuel conditions are right. But the risk is greater in some months, differing across the country. These are our peak fire danger seasons.
Different weather systems can bring a higher fire danger risk to Australia's temperate and tropical regions.
Climate change is affecting fire weather seasons across the continent. To learn about the impact, see our How weather affects fires page.
Australia's fire weather season lasts most of the year. The peak fire danger seasons on this map are based on the Forest Fire Danger Index. Forest fuel is one of 8 major fuel types in the Australian Fire Danger Rating System. Fire seasons can extend beyond the months shown. Source: Seamless climate change projections and seasonal predictions for bushfires in Australia – CSIRO Publishing.
Northern Australia – June to November
As the dry season establishes, grasses die off and fuels dry out. Northern Australia enters its peak fire danger season.
Intense high-pressure systems move over southern Australia. They produce strong south-east to north-east winds and low relative humidity. This increases the risk for days or weeks.
The peak fire danger is generally around spring, including for some areas near the east coast. Tropical Australia is well into its dry season.
Some parts of the far north and north-west have a peak fire danger earlier in the dry season, more towards winter.
The onset of the wet season ends the peak fire season.
Central latitudes – mid-October to mid-January
The greatest danger is after the dry conditions in winter and early spring. Strong high or low pressure systems move over parts of central Australia. This causes hot and dry winds to blow towards our coasts.
The peak fire season ends when conditions become moister. Sometimes this is due to a tropical low or tropical cyclone developing near Australia's northern coast.
Southern Australia – December to February
As vegetation dries during late spring and into summer, southern Australia becomes more vulnerable to bushfires. The worst fire dangers are when strong winds blow towards the coast from central Australia.
The season ends with the onset of rainfall and cool, moist conditions due to cold fronts or rain bands.