Busy bushfire season predicted for Australia's most populous regions

By Peter Hannam
Updated September 29 2015 - 12:08pm, first published 10:39am
NSW Rural Fire Service crews prepare in the Blue Mountains in August. Photo: Wolter Peeters
NSW Rural Fire Service crews prepare in the Blue Mountains in August. Photo: Wolter Peeters
Thor unleashes at Richmond. Photo: Peter Rae
Thor unleashes at Richmond. Photo: Peter Rae

The most populous regions of Australia can expect another year of above-average fire risk as the long-term decline in cool season rainfall combines with the strengthening El Nino in the Pacific.