VICTORIA faces its worst bushfire season in more than a decade, and it is likely to come earlier than in previous years, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The State Government is also warning that parts of the Victorian Alps region are at risk of "catastrophic" or "major" consequences if there is a fire, largely because of nearby townships and infrastructure.

The warnings come as Melbourne faces its driest spring on record, with September-October rainfall just 26 millimetres  just two-thirds of the previous record low, set in 1914. The long-term outlook for the rest of the year is also drier than average.

Dry state.

According to the bureau's 2008-09 Seasonal Bushfire Assessment areas such as the Dandenong Ranges are at increased risk. "Forested areas have the largest risk an early start to the fire season is likely in much of this area," it says.

"There is a long-term underlying dryness across much of the state that has developed from 12 years of rainfall deficiencies fuel loads indicate that far-east Gippsland and Melbourne's water catchments are two forested areas with accumulated forest fuels. (These) are areas of particular concern, as are the Otway and Macedon Ranges."