# data[].attributes.headline
Time for Kids: Fires in Australia from January 9, 2020

# data[].attributes.subject
Time for Kids: Fires in Australia from January 9, 2020

# data[].attributes.body
Click on the picture to read the PDF of the article.

Click here to access the online article with the option to listen to the article (click Read Aloud).

# data[].attributes.headline
Australia bushfire crisis: UNICEF offers help and support

# data[].attributes.subject
Australia bushfire crisis: UNICEF offers help and support

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to access the original article online.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Australia bushfire crisis_ UNICEF offers help and support _ UN News

# data[].attributes.headline
Animated Map: Global Transport of Smoke from the Australian Wildfires

# data[].attributes.subject
Animated Map: Global Transport of Smoke from the Australian Wildfires

# data[].attributes.body
From the NASA website.

January 21, 2020

This animation shows several high impact events across the globe between August 2019 and January 2020, including Hurricane Dorian (August to September 2019), major fire events in South America and Indonesia (August to September 2019), and extreme wildfires in Australia (December 2019 to January 2020).

The local impacts of the Australian bushfires have been devastating to property and life in the country, while producing extreme air quality impacts throughout the region.

As smoke from the massive fires has interacted with global weather, the transport of smoke plumes around the globe has accelerated into the upper troposphere and even the lowermost stratosphere, leading to long-range transport around the globe.

The smoke from these bushfires will travel across the Southern Ocean, completing a global circumnavigation back around to Australia, and is particularly pronounced across the southern Pacific Ocean out to South America.

Credit

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Global Transport of Smoke from Australian Bushfires

This animation shows several high impact events across the globe between August 2019 and January 2020, including Hurricane Dorian (August to September 2019), major fire events in South America and Indonesia (August to September 2019), and extreme wildfires in Australia (December 2019 to January 2020). Different aerosols are highlighted by color, including dust (orange), sea salt (blue), nitrates (pink) and carbonaceous (red), with brighter regions corresponding to higher aerosol amounts. The local impacts of the Australian bushfires have been devastating to property and life in Australia, while producing extreme air quality impacts throughout the region. As smoke from the massive fires has interacted with global weather, the transport of smoke plumes around the globe has accelerated into the upper troposphere and even the lowermost stratosphere, leading to long-range transport around the globe. The smoke from these bushfires will travel across the Southern Ocean, completing a global

Launched as a beta version in 2009, SafeShare has gained popularity as the safest way to watch and share YouTube and Vimeo videos, and is widely used all around the globe by educators so their students can watch educational material without the fear of inappropriate videos showing up.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Global Transport of Smoke from Australian ... - SafeShare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This animation shows several high impact events across the globe between August 2019 and January 2020, including Hurricane Dorian (August to September 2019), major fire events in South America and Indonesia (August to September 2019), and extreme wildfires in Australia (December 2019 to January 2020).

# data[].attributes.body
Click on the link to read the article online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Bushfires in Australia are frequent events during the warmer months of the year, due to Australia's mostly hot, dry climate. Each year, such fires impact extensive areas. On one hand, they can cause property damage and loss of human life. On the other hand, certain native flora in Australia have evolved to rely on bushfires as a means of reproduction, and fire events are an interwoven and an essential part of the ecology of the continent. For thousands of years, Indigenous Australians have used fire to foster grasslands for hunting and to clear tracks through dense vegetation.

Major firestorms that result in severe loss of life are often named based on the day on which they occur, such as Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday. Some of the most intense, extensive and deadly bushfires commonly occur during droughts and heat waves, such as the 2009 Southern Australia heat wave, which precipitated the conditions during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in which 173 people lost their lives. Other major conflagrations include the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, the 2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires and the 2006 December Bushfires.

Global warming is increasing the frequency and severity of bushfires.

Categories

The term "bushfire" builds on the concept of " the bush", referring to sparsely-inhabited regions. Bushfires in Australia are generally defined as uncontrolled, non-structural fires burning in a grass, scrub, bush, or forested area. Australia, being a geographically and meteorogically diverse continent, experiences many types of bushfires. There are two main categories, depending on local topography.

Hilly/mountainous fires - burn in hilly, mountainous or alpine areas which are usually densely forested. The land is less accessible and not conducive to agriculture, thus many of these densely forested areas have been saved from deforestation and are protected by national, state and other parks. The steep terrain increases the speed and intensity of a firestorm. Where settlements are located in hilly or mountainous areas, bushfires can pose a threat to both life and property.

Flat/grassland fires - burn along flat plains or areas of small undulation, predominantly covered in grasses or scrubland. These fires can move quickly, fanned by high winds in flat topography, and they quickly consume the small amounts of fuel/vegetation available. These fires pose less of a threat to settlements as they rarely reach the same intensity seen in major firestorms as the land is flat, the fires are easier to map and predict, and the terrain is more accessible for firefighting personnel. Many regions of predominantly flat terrain in Australia have been almost completely deforested for agriculture, reducing the fuel loads which would otherwise facilitate fires in these areas.

Common causes of bushfires include lightning, arcing from overhead power lines, arson, accidental ignition in the course of agricultural clearing, grinding and welding activities, campfires, cigarettes and dropped matches, sparks from machinery, and controlled burn escapes.

The natural fire regime in Australia was altered by the arrival of humans. Fires became more frequent, and fire-loving species-notably eucalypts-greatly expanded their range. It is assumed that a good deal of this change came about as the result of deliberate action by early humans, setting fires to clear undergrowth or drive game.

Plants have evolved a variety of strategies to survive (or even require) bushfires, (possessing epicormic shoots or lignotubers that sprout after a fire, or developing fire-resistant or fire-triggered seeds) or even encourage fire ( eucalypts contain flammable oils in the leaves) as a way to eliminate competition from less fire-tolerant species.

Some native animals are also adept at surviving bushfires.

In 2009, a standardised Fire Danger Rating (FDR) was adopted by all Australian states. During the fire season the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) provides fire weather forecasts and by considering the predicted weather including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and dryness of vegetation, fire agencies determine the appropriate Fire Danger Rating. In 2010, following a national review of the bush fire danger ratings, new trigger points for each rating were introduced for grassland areas in most jurisdictions. See for example the following glossary

Fire Danger Ratings are a feature of weather forecasts and alert the community to the actions they should take in preparation of the day. Ratings are broadcast via newspapers, radio, TV, and the internet.

Regional management

The Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) is the peak body responsible for representing fire, emergency services and land management agencies in the Australasian region.

Queensland

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is a volunteer-based firefighting agency and operates as part of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

New South Wales

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) is a volunteer-based firefighting agency and statutory body of the Government of New South Wales.

South Australia

The Country Fire Service is a volunteer based fire service in the state of South Australia. The CFS operates as a part of the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM).

In Victoria, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) provides firefighting and other emergency services to country areas and regional townships within the state, as well as large portions of the outer suburban areas and growth corridors of Melbourne not covered by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

Western Australia

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services of Western Australia (DFES) and the Department of Parks and Wildlife (P&W) have joint responsibility for bushfire management in Western Australia. DFES is an umbrella organisation supporting the Bush Fire Brigade volunteers, Emergency Services Cadets, Fire and Rescue Service, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Emergency Service, Volunteer Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, and the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services.

Guidelines for survival

Local authorities provide education and information for residents in bushfire-prone regions regarding the location of current fires, preservation of life and property and when to escape by car.

Seasonality

Bushfires in Australia can occur all year-round, though the severity and the "bushfire season" varies by region. These seasons are commonly grouped into years such as "2006-07 Australian bushfire season" and typically run from June one year until May the next year.

In southeast Australia, bushfires tend to be most common and most severe during summer and autumn (December-March), in drought years, and particularly severe in El Niño years. Southeast Australia is fire-prone, and warm and dry conditions intensify the probability of fire. In northern Australia, bushfires usually occur during the dry season (April to September), and fire severity tends to be more associated with seasonal weather patterns. In the southwest, similarly, bushfires occur in the summer dry season and severity is usually related to seasonal growth. Fire frequency in the north is difficult to assess, as the vast majority of fires are caused by human activity, however lightning strikes are as common a cause as human-ignited fires and arson.

Climate change

Australia's climate has been trending toward more bushfire weather over the last 30 years. The Climate Commission found that "The intensity and seasonality of large bushfires in south-east Australia appears to be changing, with climate change a possible contributing factor."

A 2006 report by the Bushfire CRC acknowledges the complexity of climate predictions pointing out "Much of [Australia's] vegetation has a complex evolutionary and dependent relationship with fire. Fire has been part of these environments for tens of thousands of years and much native flora and fauna remains dependent on it in various ways." In 2007, a study by the CSIRO (the national government body for scientific research in Australia), found evidence that climate change will lead to increases in very high and extreme fire danger rating days and earlier onset of the fire season. Other studies investigating the historical record identify significant changes in Australia's bushfire season as a result of human activity.

Major bushfires in Australia

Bushfires have accounted for over 800 deaths in Australia since 1851 and, in 2012, the total accumulated cost was estimated at $1.6 billion. In terms of monetary cost however, they rate behind the damage caused by drought, severe storms, hail, and cyclones, perhaps because they most commonly occur outside highly populated urban areas. However, the severe fires of the summer of 2019-2020 affected densely populated areas including holiday destinations leading NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, to claim it was "absolutely" the worst bushfire season on record.

Some of the most severe Australian bushfires (single fires and fire seasons), in chronological order, have included: note 2019/2020 bushfires have a combined total of hectares burned for the States names not single State totals.

Black Thursday bushfires

5,000,000

12,000,000

6 February 1851

about 12

1 million sheep; thousands of cattle

Black Sunday bushfires
South Australia
39,000-160,000

96,000-395,000

2 January 1955

2

40 dwellings including the Governor's summer residence at Marble Hill

Southern Highlands bushfires

New South Wales

5-14 March 1965

3

59 homes

1974-75 New South Wales bushfires

New South Wales

4,500,000

11,000,000

1974-1975 season

6

1978 Western Australian bushfires

Western Australia

114,000

280,000

4 April 1978

2

6 buildings (drop in wind in early evening is said to have saved the towns of Donnybrook, Boyup Brook, Manjimup, and Bridgetown.)

Ash Wednesday bushfires

418,000

1,030,000

16 February 1983

75

about 2,400 houses

2003 Canberra bushfires

Australian Capital Territory

160,000

400,000

18-22 January 2003

4

almost 500 homes

Jail Break Inn Fire, Junee

New South Wales

30,000

74,000

New Years Day 2006

Nil

Livestock losses estimated to be over 20,000. Seven homes, seven headers and four shearing sheds destroyed. 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) of fencing damaged.

2005 Victorian bushfires

Victoria

160,000

400,000

December 2005 - January 2006

4

57 houses, 359 farm buildings, 65,000 stock losses, fires occurred in the Stawell, Moondarra, Anakie, Yea, and Kinglake regions.

2006-07 Australian bushfire season

1,360,000

3,400,000

September 2006 - January 2007

5

Over 100 structures including 83 houses; numerous non-residential structures

Black Saturday bushfires

Victoria

450,000

1,100,000

7 February 2009 - 14 March 2009

173

2,029+ houses, 2,000 other structures.

Warrumbungle bushfire

New South Wales

54,000

130,000

18 January 2013

Nil

At least 53 homes, 118 sheds, agricultural machinery and livestock. Infrastructure destroyed at Siding Spring Observatory.

2013 New South Wales bushfires

New South Wales

100,000

250,000

17-28 October 2013

1

As of 19 October 2013 at least 248 buildings destroyed statewide (inc. 208 dwellings), another 109 damaged in Springwood, Winmalee and Yellow Rock. Major fires also occurred in the Hunter, Central Coast, Macarthur and Port Stephens regions causing significant damage.

2015 O'Sullivan bushfire ( Northcliffe - Windy Harbour)

Western Australia

98,923

244,440

29 January - 20 February 2015

Nil

1 home and 1 inhabited shed, 5 farm sheds and thousands of hectares of production forests (karri and jarrah) or national parks.

2015 Esperance bushfires

Western Australia

200,000

490,000

October-November 2015

4

About 10 houses and public buildings ( Scaddan), 15,000 stock losses, 5 Nature Reserves et most area of Cape Arid national park.

2016 Murray Road bushfire ( Waroona and Harvey)

Western Australia

69,165

170,910

January 2016

2

181 dwellings (166 only in Yarloop), historical Yarloop Workshops and thousands of hectares of Lane Poole Reserve and production forest (jarrah).

2019-20 Australian bushfire season
18,626,000

46,030,000

5 September 2019 - February 2020

33 (including 3 NSW firefighters, 1 VIC firefighter and 3 US firefighters who were killed in a Lockheed C-130 Hercules Water Bomber crash in the Snowy Monaro region)

2600+ homes currently confirmed destroyed (as of 13 January 2020)

NSW 2162+ homes destroyed

SA 100+ homes destroyed

VIC 54+ homes destroyed

QLD 40+ homes destroyed

NT 5 homes destroyed

TAS 1 home destroyed

ACT recycling tip impacted

WA unknown homes destroyed

in total roughly over 8000 buildings have been lost nationwide (includes homes, out buildings and businesses/facilities)

Area Other
At least 1,000,000,000 wild animals are estimated to have died (not including frogs and insects) with some species thought to be facing extinction.

Related pages

Images for kids

Intense bushfires can seriously impact the environment, such as here by the Big River, near Anglers Rest, East Gippsland, after the 2003 Victorian fires

Looking towards the town Swifts Creek, Victoria, in December 2006 during the Victorian Alpine Fires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bushfires in Australia are frequent events during the warmer months of the year, due to Australia's mostly hot, dry climate. Each year, such fires impact extensive areas. On one hand, they can cause property damage and loss of human life.

# data[].attributes.body
Click to read the news article from The Guardian.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
G3 Q3 New Zealand sends troops to help with Australian bushfires as Pacific nations offer support

# data[].attributes.headline
Call for help: International Response to Australian Fires

# data[].attributes.subject
Call for help: International Response to Australian Fires

# data[].attributes.body
Click to read the article from the Sydney Morning Herald

Online access here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
G3 Q3 Call for help_ International response to Australian fires

# data[].attributes.headline
ABC News - Wildfires rage out of control in Australia

# data[].attributes.subject
ABC News - Wildfires rage out of control in Australia

# data[].attributes.body
Click to watch the news report.

Alternate link here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Wildfires rage out of control in Australia, prompting evacuations and rescues | ABC News

Tens of thousands of residents have been driven from their homes as part of that country's largest evacuations ever. #ABCNews #Wildfire #Australia #Evacuation

Launched as a beta version in 2009, SafeShare has gained popularity as the safest way to watch and share YouTube and Vimeo videos, and is widely used all around the globe by educators so their students can watch educational material without the fear of inappropriate videos showing up.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Wildfires rage out of control in Australia... - SafeShare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tens of thousands of residents have been driven from their homes as part of that country's largest evacuations ever. #ABCNews #Wildfire #Australia #Evacuation Launched as a beta version in 2009, SafeShare has gained popularity as the safest way to watch and share YouTube and Vimeo videos, and is widely used all around the globe by educators so their students can watch educational material without the fear of inappropriate videos showing up.

# data[].attributes.headline
Restoration After the Australia Bushfires

# data[].attributes.subject
Restoration After the Australia Bushfires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Reforesting Australia's rainforest after the 2020 bushfires

Ecosia is the search engine that plants trees: https://ecosia.co/info The Australian bushfires of 2020, dubbed The Black Summer, had a devastating impact on Byron Bay's rainforest. During the wildfires, we directed 100% of Ecosia's profits on January 24th to reforest this area. Now, 78,000 Ecosia trees have been planted, restoring parts of the ecosystem to clean the air, attract rain, boost biodiversity and combat climate change. In this video, produced by our Australian tree-planting partner ReForest Now, we share how this project continues to grow from the support of the Ecosia community - a case study of how to respond to a planet in crisis. Learn more about how Ecosia helps Australian bushfires: https://blog.ecosia.org/trees-for-australia/ https://blog.ecosia.org/after-the-news-australia-and-how-to-help/ #AustraliaBushfires #BlackSummer #Reforestation ___ Produced by Paul Daley (A Lush Forest Media) and ReForest Now ____ Make Ecosia your default search engine to plant tre

Launched as a beta version in 2009, SafeShare has gained popularity as the safest way to watch and share YouTube and Vimeo videos, and is widely used all around the globe by educators so their students can watch educational material without the fear of inappropriate videos showing up.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reforesting Australia's rainforest after t... - SafeShare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ecosia is the search engine that plants trees: https://ecosia.co/info The Australian bushfires of 2020, dubbed The Black Summer, had a devastating impact on Byron Bay's rainforest. During the wildfires, we directed 100% of Ecosia's profits on January 24th to reforest this area.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to access the article online through SIRS Discoverer  - you can read online and listen to the article.

"Australia's Devastating Wildfires." NewsCurrents Read to Know, 01/13 2020. ProQuest; SIRS Discoverer, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsdiscoverer/document/2336624020?accountid=147577.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
ProQuest __ SIRS Discoverer _ Australia's Devastating Wildfires

# data[].attributes.headline
This map is from 2009.  How does it compare to what you see from the maps in 2020?

# data[].attributes.subject
This map is from 2009.  How does it compare to what you see from the maps in 2020?

# data[].attributes.body
Map: Australian Wildfires. ProQuest, 2009. ProQuest; SIRS Discoverer, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsdiscoverer/document/2254170405?accountid=147577.

# data[].attributes.body
Article originally published in the Guardian, retrieved from Newsela.  Click here to access online and listen to the article.

# data[].attributes.body
Click to get a birds eye view of the wildfires.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Aerial Footage Shows Scale of Fires in Australia

# data[].attributes.headline
How Does Climate Change Affect Bushfires?

# data[].attributes.subject
How Does Climate Change Affect Bushfires?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How does climate change affect bushfires? ... - SafeShare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Climate change is at the heart of worsening bushfires in Australia. Here’s why. Illustration credit: Jess Harwood -- Subscribe here: http://goo.gl/JUPEL3 After thousands of Australians chipped in to Australia’s biggest crowd-funding campaign, the abolished Climate Commission has relaunched as…