Queensland is bracing for worse than usual bushfire conditions in the coming months, having already dispatched a significant number of resources to the scene.

Firefighting efforts were stepped up, with the air fleet arriving in Bundaberg and Townsville just days into spring.

“We are already starting to see fire activity and are monitoring the situation closely,” Rural Fire Service Queensland Chief Executive Ben Millington said on Friday.

The large 10,000-litre tanker will be based in Bundaberg during spring and summer and will be used in coastal and inland areas.

Bundaberg will also be a base for Eurocopter and Blackhawk helicopters to drop water in support of the fire service and volunteers.

At Townsville Airport, two Bell 214B helicopters, two AirTractor AT-802 bombers, two air attack surveillance platforms and a specialist light intelligence gathering helicopter are on standby.

Queensland has already contracted an air fleet of 13 aircraft with a combined capacity of more than 32,000 litres of water.

There are also 150 aircraft on standby should the country need them.

“The aerial fire response fleet… provides an extra layer of support for firefighters and peace of mind for Queenslanders,” said Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery Nikki Boyd.

Mr Millington said the air fleet provided vital support to ground services, particularly in the face of increased fire activity.

It follows a bleak outlook for the bushfire season this spring, which showed erratic rainfall in Queensland in recent months had increased fuel loads and fire risk.

Dry grasslands resulting from winter frosts and dry winds have increased the risk of fires in southern and central Queensland, according to a forecast from the National Fire and Emergency Services Council (AFAC).

“The biggest threat this bushfire season is likely to be grass fires, which can spread quickly due to the significant amount of fuel stored by rainfall over the past two years,” Mr Millington said.

Queenslanders should prepare now as the heatwave is expected to continue into spring.

“It is vital that all properties are ready,” Queensland Fire Service Commissioner Steve Smith said.

“This could make a huge difference if the worst happens.”