Many parts of eastern Australia including Queensland, New South Wales and Gippsland, in Victoria, were already in drought.[1] Above normal fire was also predicted for large parts of southern Australia and eastern Australia by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre. The forecast noted that Queensland had recorded the ninth driest and fourth hottest period on record from April to November. New South Wales recorded the fourth hottest period and eighth driest on record while Victoria experiences the 13th driest and seventh hottest period on record.[2] Authorities in New South Wales brought forward the start of the bushfire season for much of the state from October to the beginning of August.[3]