Its a yearly concern - there have always been bushfires in Australia - some of the vegetation actually needs a bushfire to trigger reproduction. Eucalyptus trees have plenty of oil so they burn pretty good.

The question is whether it will be exacerbated by climate change. Obviously the worst years are the dry ones - then it's a matter of getting a run of days with extreme conditions - usually high 30's then one 40+C and big winds.

The most bushfire prone area is down south. Although the winters are quite cold there the humidity is very low and it doesn't often get those big summer downpours typical of tropical climates - in fact two months without rain during summer is not unusual. If that follows on from a dry spring, then that's when it gets dangerous.

Actually, this year, I think the spring rains were ok down south, so should be ok - but there will always be something happening.

The northern fire season is about now, spring time, as they usually have a dry winter, but then the summer storms and humidity are generally enough to prevent anything too serious.