The continuing drought, warmer than average September temperatures and gale force winds have spurred a wave of bushfires across the Sydney basin.

The season has not officially begun, but fires have blazed through parts of NSW and Victoria, making for an extended bushfire season this year.

Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) Deputy Chief Officer Graham Fountain told Sunrise Exchange News the combination of low rainfall, higher temperatures and strong winds has brought the bushfire season forward by about six weeks.

He says fuel on the ground is drier than in past years, contributing to a severe outlook. “We have all the indications for a longer, drier and hotter summer than last year.”

With limited water resources, “dry” fire-fighting techniques – which are among the standard CFA strategies – may need to be employed more this year.

NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Assistant Commissioner of Operations Shane Fitzsimmons says the extreme weather at the weekend was unusual, as winds exceeded 100kmh and temperatures headed towards 30 degrees.

“In addition, there was no coastal wind influence to combat the high, hot westerly winds, which drove the fires even more so,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.

This may be the longest drought on record, but the RFS has access to water storages and bulk water tankers across the state. Several were deployed to combat the Sydney region fires.

“There’s potential for a more severe season this year,” Mr Fitzsimmons said. “The long-range forecast suggests so, and with an El Nino event starting to form, the fire season will be extended.”

Double the usual annual number of extreme fire days are expected.

The insurance industry has acknowledged that this year’s season could be a bad one and is prepared for what might lie ahead.

NRMA Insurance says it received more than 1000 home and contents claims as a result of the weekend windstorms and 16 claims from the bushfires – most from Oakville and Picton, where the fires were at their worst.

Head of Product and Underwriting Daniel Musson says the insurer is ready to help customers after stockpiling equipment during winter.

“Following our experience with Cyclone Larry in Queensland and the ACT bushfires of 2003, we know what customers need after a major event and are fully prepared for the upcoming bushfire and storm season,” he said. “This weekend’s events highlight the need to get bushfire-ready now.”

AAMI spokesman Geoff Hughes says there will be no problems for insurers in covering losses with the assistance of their reinsurers.

“AAMI is comfortable with its reinsurance level,” he said. “Our response teams are ready to deploy when needed.”