New report upgrades Victoria's bushfire outlook to major

Victoria's bushfire season has been upgraded from above normal to major for 2014-15 following record warm October weather.

Record-breaking heat and an ongoing warming trend in southern Australia have worsened the state's fire warning, a new Climate Council report released on Tuesday said.

"These types of conditions drive up the likelihood of very high fire danger weather in Victoria this season," report author Lesley Hughes said.

And the long-term state outlook is worrying.

The total economic costs of bushfires in Victoria in 2014 is projected to be $172 million, but this is expected to more than double by the middle of the century.

The report warns that unless Australia cuts greenhouse gas emissions quickly and deeply to join international efforts, the situation will not improve.

VIC FACES CHALLENGING FIRE SEASON

* Total economic cost of Victoria's bushfires projected to be more than $172 million for 2014

* Over half of all known bushfire fatalities in Australia have occurred in Victoria

* By 2030 it is estimated Australia will need to double the number of professional fire fighters to address the greater fire threat

(Source: Be Prepared: Climate Change and the Victorian Bushfire Threat)