Preparing for the upcoming bushfire season

Posted 22 September 2026

As Tasmania moves towards the 2026-27 fire season, preparation and cooperation remain critical to protecting communities, forest assets and the wider landscape.

The latest outlooks suggest parts of Tasmania may face elevated bushfire risk this season. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting above average temperatures across much of Australia, while the national seasonal bushfire outlook identifies north-eastern Tasmania as an area of increased fire risk due to dry conditions and below average rainfall. These forecasts reinforce the importance of early planning and preparedness across all land tenures.

The forest industry continues to play an important role in Tasmania's fire management network. Through the Tasmanian Forest Industry Fire Management Committee (FIFMC), private forest growers, forest managers, contractors and Sustainable Timber Tasmania work together to support best-practice fire prevention, preparedness and response across the state's forest estate.

The strength of Tasmania's fire management system lies in collaboration. Industry resources complement those provided by emergency services and public land managers, providing additional personnel, equipment, local knowledge and operational support when fires occur. Ahead of this season, across both private forest managers and Sustainable Timber Tasmania there are 170 trained firefighters ready to respond, 109 tankers (heavy, medium and light), aircraft access and 17 operational fire towers/cameras.

While response capability is important, preventing fire starts remains the industry's highest priority. FIFMC is the custodian of a range of industry fire prevention guidelines and procedures developed in partnership with industry and fire management agencies. These documents establish the minimum standards expected of forest operations during the fire season and provide practical guidance on reducing the risk of wildfire ignition.

As preparations for the coming season ramp up, now is a timely opportunity for forest owners, managers and contractors to review their operations and ensure they are meeting the expectations set out in these guidelines. Particular attention should be given to:

Firefighting equipment requirements and maintenance
Water supply availability and accessibility
Staff and contractor fire training requirements
Fire weather monitoring and operational restrictions
Communications and emergency response arrangements
Site access and emergency vehicle access points

Further information, including the Fire Prevention Guidelines for Tasmania's Private Plantations and Fire Prevention at Forest Operations Procedure, is available through the Private Forests Tasmania website HERE.