Emergency Services Commissioner Dominic Lane said above average rainfall for the past three months, coupled with more forecast rain would build up fuel.

''If that does dry out - because they are not predicting a wet summer - then we are going to have a significant grassland problem, as well as potential for forested areas,'' Mr Lane said. ''So we could have a double whammy this year.''

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts above average rainfall over most of south-east Australia and the Bushfire Co-operative Research Centre said, as a result, above normal fire potential had been assessed for grasslands in the ACT.

Starting his role at the height of the bushfire season in January, Mr Lane saw the ACT narrowly escape a repeat of the 2003 firestorm, with lightning fires in Namadgi National Park.

Mr Lane said tenacious and diligent mopping up had ensured not a single spark was left when, days later, winds and record high temperatures significantly elevated the risk.

ACT fire crews took advantage of a dry autumn and early winter for extensive fuel reduction burns.

Concerns have been raised in recent years over new environmental protections for valuable flora and fauna in and around Gungahlin.

Conservationists have lobbied to protect bushland and biodiversity, including endangered Yellow Box-Red Gum grassy woodlands and habitat for the superb parrot.

Mr Lane said over the past 12 months, fire authorities had managed the competing interests to do extensive hazard reduction burns.

''I think the main thing we have been able to demonstrate through a strategic bushfire plan as well as liaising with the Bushfire Council, which has environmental representatives, we can sit down and actually balance and meet objectives of everyone,'' he said. ''What is clear in those discussions is that everyone understands that public safety takes precedence over other matters.''

Mr Lane said the extent of bushfire danger would come down to how many hot, dry, windy days there were in January and February.

''Let's hope we don't see the record-breaking heat waves we had last year but if we do, that will prime us for major concerns.''

Mr Lane said he was confident location-based mobile phone text alerts, which had replaced the old system of alerts sent to billing address areas, would work.

Telstra had enhanced technology for location alerts. Vodafone and Optus would have it soon, hopefully in time for summer.

Mr Lane said residents should prepare for the season by downloading a bushfire survival plan from the Emergency Services Agency's website.