World

Severe fire season expected in Australia

06:23 am on 27 August 2009

Temperatures are unusually high throughout parts of eastern Australia this week, raising concerns the bushfire season will hit early and be severe.

Experts are predicting trouble, especially for Victoria and New South Wales.

The ABC reports Queensland also expects extreme temperatures and fire conditions.

August temperatures in Brisbane have rreached of 36 degrees. Scientists say the rising temperatures are a sign that everyone should be worried about bushfires this summer.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service says the fire season has started early there and will continue through to the end of March. But it says Victoria is worse off.