A briefing paper titled 'This Is Not Normal' has suggested that climate change has been a huge factor contributing to the extreme fire conditions currently affecting NSW and Qld.
Published by the Climate Council, the report states that bushfire risk has been exacerbated by record-breaking drought and heat, and very dry fuels and soils.
Climate Council chief executive officer Amanda McKenzie said communities were now "paying the price" of the exacerbated bushfire risk.
"For more than 20 years, scientists have warned that climate change would increase the risk of extreme bushfires in Australia, and these warnings have now become reality," she said.
RELATED READING: NOMAD prepares to keep community safe from fire
The paper found that the nation's bushfire season has lengthened significantly - from spring to autumn, and in some areas even into winter - to the point that opportunities for fuel reduction burning have been severely cut, making it harder to prepare for worsening conditions.
Ms McKenzie said a bushfire preparation plan for Australian Communities was desperately needed.
"Fires are becoming more difficult and expensive to fight and sharing resources is becoming more difficult between states and territories and countries," said Ms McKenzie.
"We need the Federal Government to urgently develop a plan that prepares Australian communities as well as health and emergency services for escalating fire danger.
"We must also rapidly phase out the burning of coal, oil and gas which is driving more dangerous fires," she said.
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