Summer bushfire forecast predicts high-risk regions in western NSW

Despite above-average rainfall in recent months, large swathes of NSW are at risk of an "above normal" bushfire season this summer, the National Council for Fire and Emergencies Services has said.

But much of the country will be at a normal level of bushfire risk.

Only a few patches of NSW and Victoria will be below normal fire potential, for the grim reason that so much of the bush was destroyed in the 2019-20 season.

READ MORE: Police chief 'confident' missing campers case will be solved 'soon'

"While most of Australia is expecting normal fire potential, there are areas of below-normal potential in the ACT, NSW and Victoria," the report read.

"This is due to increased rainfall and areas burnt during the 2019-20 fires."

The report issued today showed higher-than-average rainfall in eastern Australia has resulted in substantial grass growth.

As a consequence, much of NSW on the western side of the Great Dividing Range is considered to have a higher risk of bushfires.

READ MORE: Higher cyclone risk for Australia this summer

But the forested areas destroyed in NSW and Victoria are at substantially less risk, simply because it takes more time for trees to grow back.

Dry conditions in Western Australia has put large areas of the state at risk of a severe bushfire season.

Higher-than-average forecast temperatures combined with high fuel loads could put the state at greater risk.

The regions at most risk include southern coastal Western Australia from Perth stretching around to near Albany, as well as patches further north.

READ MORE: Rain, storms across Australia in major weather event

The La Nina cycle, which is forecasting a wetter and cooler summer than average, will have little to no effect in Western Australia.

But it offers better news to firefighters in the rest of the country.

Outside of coastal NSW, most of the country is forecast to have a strong chance of exceeding the median maximum temperature.