It seems to come a little earlier every year. Victorian and NSW bushfire authorities were hard at work last week as hot and dry conditions sparked the first flames of what is predicted to be a long, severe fire season.

They, along with insurers, are urging people in high-risk areas to undertake thorough preparations immediately.

As Victoria faced its earliest-ever total fire ban day on Wednesday, a large fire burned through the Grampians National Park. The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) says about 117 hectares of bushland was burnt but no private assets were at risk.

State Duty Officer Andrew Greystone told Sunrise Exchange News the blaze started when a prescribed backburning operation got out of control. Prevention work is necessarily risky and the DSE is continuing its pre-season fire minimisation strategies.

With the Australian mainland suffering an unusually dry winter and high temperatures in early spring, Mr Greystone says every aspect of prevention is important. Up to 700 seasonal firefighters have been called up early to take part.

NSW and the ACT have also been battling fires over the past week. An aircraft crash near Bathurst on Thursday caused a fire that has burnt 700ha of the Turon State Forest. Other fires around Wakehurst in North Sydney and the Snowy River area near the ACT and NSW border were fully contained by Monday.

The Insurance Council of Australia has repeated its warning for homeowners to make fire prevention efforts now. It is also urging them to check their insurance policies to ensure cover is appropriate.

“At this time of year it is good planning to consider your home and contents insurance,” CEO Kerrie Kelly said. “It is very important that householders know and understand what they are and are not covered for under their particular insurance policy.

“They should be aware of any exclusions, and if they have any queries they should ask their insurer or insurance broker to clarify.”