<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bone-dry bush across a large chunk of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span> is posing increased </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/bushfires" rel="" target="" title="bushfire"><span>bushfire</span></a><span> risk in the lead-up to winter, experts have warned.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The peak Australasian fire body, AFAC, has pinpointed parts of Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Western Australia where heightened fire risk is expected throughout autumn.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Almost of all of Victoria, as well as regions in southern, central and eastern NSW, the south-east corner of South Australia and parts of southern Western Australia face an "increased number of significant bushfires" compared to the average threat during autumn.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/cuba-military-attack-us-registered-boat-kill-four-people/4a13e634-666d-4368-a533-961b1aeae555" target="_blank"><strong><span>Vance, Rubio respond after Cuban forces kill four on boat with US plates</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>AFAC chief executive Rob Webb said the elevated risk was driven by "increased long-term dryness and persistent soil moisture deficits".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For many parts of southern Australia, autumn sees the gradual reduction in fire risk and opportunities for prescribed burning can increase," Webb said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"However, these programs may be delayed in some areas because of the underlying conditions.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/huge-chunk-of-victoria-facing-increased-busfire-risk-in-leadup-to-winter/f1f72109-0e94-42e1-b785-65aa7445337f" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is a three-month outlook. Even with the anticipated rains in the southeast in the short term, much more would be required to overcome the long-term moisture deficits."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/record-flu-deaths-australia-highest-this-century/c40c04e2-3a0a-4213-a24d-0c409096de52" target="_blank"><strong><span>Australia just recorded its highest number of flu deaths in the 21st century. Experts are 'very concerned'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Emergency Management Victoria Deputy Commissioner Brett Boatman said all of Victoria, with the exception of East Gippsland and the Mallee, would be under increased bushfire risk throughout autumn.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For most of the state it's been a hot and dry summer," Boatman said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This has followed more than two years of underlying dryness, which has resulted in significant amounts of dead and dry vegetation across the Victorian landscape.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A drier than average autumn is now expected, with warmer than average temperatures forecast.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This will further increase fuel availability across most of the state, increasing the potential for fires to start and to spread."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Recent rainfall across Victoria has drenched some of the thirsty bushland, but has not removed the risk, Boatman said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents in high-risk zones are urged to be aware of the danger and have a bushfire plan.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The AFAC outlook has been developed by expert fire specialists across Australia, alongside climate predictions and fire weather experts from the Bureau of Meteorology.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>