Large parts of Australia put on high alert for significant bushfires in spring
1 year, 4 months ago

Large parts of Australia put on high alert for significant bushfires in spring

ABC  

A worrying recipe of increased vegetation combined with warm, dry weather has prompted emergency authorities to put large swathes of the country on high alert for bushfires this spring. Key points: A dry, warm spring is forecast for most of Australia High bushfire risk has been highlighted for large parts of most states and territories Years of heavy rain have boosted the amount of vegetation ready to burn The Australasian Fire Authorities Council has large parts of a map of eastern and central Australia marked in red in its seasonal outlook released on Wednesday. This, combined with the warm, dry outlook, has put large parts of the country under elevated risk of "significant bushfire" this season, according to AFAC. Much of the Northern Territory, which is already in its fire season, also has a high fire risk going into spring, with "minimal fire scar coverage, well-above average fuel loads, above median temperatures and dry, windy conditions predicted". Small pockets of South Australia have also been flagged as having higher than normal fire risk, with weather conditions "rapidly" switching below average rainfall and drying out of soil in many areas of the state.

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History of this topic

Bushfire risk lingers as country swelters under heatwave
1 week, 2 days ago

Bushfire risk lingers as country swelters under heatwave

ABC  

Rachel Mealey: Parts of Australia are sweltering in an extreme heatwave with temperatures expected to climb to 47 degrees in some areas, eclipsing December records. David Estcourt: Despite Cree Marshall's home in the town of White Cliffs being exposed to some of the most brutal temperatures today, she expects it to remain completely cool, even without air conditioning. Cree Marshall: …

The maps that could 'revolutionise' how Australia handles bushfire risk
2 weeks, 3 days ago

The maps that could 'revolutionise' how Australia handles bushfire risk

ABC  

Dozens of firefighters are gathered outside a rural brigade in Sydney's northern outskirts, listening intently to a briefing about a hazard reduction burn. While there are a few patches of Australia that could raise concerns, population data indicates most Australians currently live in areas where there could be no change or only a slight increase in bushfire risk. But it …

Extreme weather warning for Australia over the next three days
3 weeks ago

Extreme weather warning for Australia over the next three days

Daily Mail  

Extreme heat will continue to bake swathes of Australia as cold and wet fronts bring a soaking to the other side of the country. Severe thunderstorms and an incoming rain bomb are set to sweep the entire east coast, stretching all the way from Victoria through New South Wales, Queensland and up into northern Australia, according to the Bureau of …

Fire danger ramps up as BOM predicts hotter temperatures around some parts of Australia
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Fire danger ramps up as BOM predicts hotter temperatures around some parts of Australia

ABC  

Parts of Australia will experience their hottest temperatures since last summer starting today, as Victoria faces its first total fire ban of the season. A total fire ban and extreme fire danger rating are in place today across Victoria's Mallee region with much of the state experiencing high fire danger. Fire warning for some parts Chief Officer of the Country …

Warnings over increased bushfire risk as Australia records warmest August on record
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Warnings over increased bushfire risk as Australia records warmest August on record

ABC  

As chaotic weather wreaks havoc across Tasmania and Victoria, there are warnings over a heightened threat of bushfires in the coming months in other parts of the country. Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory face an increased risk of bushfires this spring after "unusually high" maximum temperatures were recorded around the country. The official seasonal bushfire outlook shows …

Australia's spring weather forecast predicts above average temperatures after unseasonal winter heat
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia's spring weather forecast predicts above average temperatures after unseasonal winter heat

ABC  

It feels like the seasonal switch has already been flicked in the eastern states. "The temperature forecast is more confident, especially over northern Australia where there is a very high chance of above average temperatures," BOM climatologist Zhi-Weng Chua said. Most of tropical Australia and Tasmania are three to four times as likely to be "unusually warm" this spring than …

Queensland tipped for intense bushfire season with high fuel loads and hot weather
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Queensland tipped for intense bushfire season with high fuel loads and hot weather

ABC  

With higher fuel loads and predictions of hotter than average temperatures over the next few months, the outlook for Queensland's upcoming bushfire season is bleak. Higher fuel loads Mr Millington said a wet summer produced more vegetation that, coupled with predicted hotter temperatures over the next few months, would put Queensland at an increased risk of bushfires. Mr Millington said …

Bureau of Meteorology and AFAC summer outlook looks hot across all corners of Australia, with heightened fire risk
1 year ago

Bureau of Meteorology and AFAC summer outlook looks hot across all corners of Australia, with heightened fire risk

ABC  

Australia is not off the hook for hot summer temperatures and a heightened bushfire risk, despite heavy rain currently falling across the east. Key points: Large parts of Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory have an "increased risk of fire" this summer AFAC says the recent rains are welcome, but unlikely to undo the damage of a dry …

Bushfire threat across NSW and Queensland eases as blazes burn near towns of Tenterfield, Wallangarra and Tara
1 year, 1 month ago

Bushfire threat across NSW and Queensland eases as blazes burn near towns of Tenterfield, Wallangarra and Tara

ABC  

Easing weather conditions have helped firefighters get on top of dozens of fires rampaging through regional communities across Queensland and New South Wales that have destroyed dozens of homes. Key points: Firefighters have got the upper hand on a fire that broke out near a school in Sydney's west A cool southerly change is spreading across major fire grounds 53 …

Heavy rain along NSW North Coast dampens bushfire threat and brings drought relief
1 year, 1 month ago

Heavy rain along NSW North Coast dampens bushfire threat and brings drought relief

ABC  

Heavy rain has soaked the fire grounds of northern NSW overnight, bringing drought relief and greatly reducing the bushfire threat over the coming weeks. Key points: Some 120 bushfires across NSW have reduced to 108 after the rain Scone was 22 degrees Celsius below the town's maximum on Wednesday This weather is an indication the fire season won't reach the …

Extreme bushfire warning for northern NSW and the Hunter as BOM forecasts near-record heat
1 year, 2 months ago

Extreme bushfire warning for northern NSW and the Hunter as BOM forecasts near-record heat

ABC  

A fire raging south-west of Grafton on the NSW Mid North Coast escalated to Emergency level on Wednesday afternoon before being downgraded to Advice hours later, with residents in the region being advised to seek shelter. Key points: Hot and dry conditions are driving two bushfires in northern NSW Extreme fire risk was declared in the Hunter, North-Western and Northern …

Schools closed, extreme fire danger warnings issued in NSW as hot, windy weather returns
1 year, 2 months ago

Schools closed, extreme fire danger warnings issued in NSW as hot, windy weather returns

ABC  

Six New South Wales schools are closed as hot and windy conditions set in across large parts of the state, while the recovery effort from a large fire still burning on the state's Far South Coast begins. Key points: Six total fire bans are in place amid extreme fire danger for five NSW regions Nearly 50 fires are already burning …

Australian Authorities Warn Citizens of Horrific Bushfire Season
1 year, 2 months ago

Australian Authorities Warn Citizens of Horrific Bushfire Season

News 18  

Warm winds fanned multiple blazes on Wednesday in an unusually early start to Australia’s annual fire season, prompting a state leader to warn of a “horror” summer of bushfires ahead. “Be prepared for a horror summer,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told a news conference in Bega. “Bushfires love this environment and it is devastating for regional communities in …

Huge NT bushfire shuts down Barkly Highway, surges towards Queensland border
1 year, 2 months ago

Huge NT bushfire shuts down Barkly Highway, surges towards Queensland border

ABC  

A major highway in the Northern Territory has been closed because of a monster fire in the Barkly region that has been burning for weeks and scorched more than two million hectares. Key points: Bushfires NT has withdrawn from "active management" of the fire Pastoralist says they have been left to fend for themselves Interstate resources that fought the blaze …

Another Black Summer for Australia? Residents told to Flee Victoria Bushfires
1 year, 2 months ago

Another Black Summer for Australia? Residents told to Flee Victoria Bushfires

News 18  

Firefighters warned people on Tuesday to flee or take shelter if it is too late to leave as warm, gusty winds fanned “very challenging” bushfires in Victoria, eastern Australia. People who had not yet left from another seven neighbourhoods were told to take shelter immediately because “it is too late to leave the area safely”. “We are experiencing spot fires …

Sydney bushfires: More than 100 blazes across New South Wales as temperatures soar to 33C
1 year, 2 months ago

Sydney bushfires: More than 100 blazes across New South Wales as temperatures soar to 33C

Daily Mail  

Dry heat and strengthening winds have placed Sydney and holidaymakers on high alert for bushfires as more than 100 blazes burn statewide. Greater Sydney and Greater Hunter are among five areas facing extreme danger from blazes on Tuesday and among eight areas subject to total fire bans. A fire burns near Bawley Point on the New South Wales south coast …

Australia is better prepared for bushfires now than before Black Summer, but firefighters say there's still more work to do
1 year, 3 months ago

Australia is better prepared for bushfires now than before Black Summer, but firefighters say there's still more work to do

ABC  

For the first time in three years, Australians face the risk of significant bushfires. "We're much better prepared than we were prior to the Black Summer," Dr Cope says. The royal commission recommended Australia invest in things called "downscaled climate models" — models that provide projections for areas down to just a few kilometres. "It was a royal commission put …

Australia, scarred by bushfires, on high alert for dangerous summer
1 year, 3 months ago

Australia, scarred by bushfires, on high alert for dangerous summer

The Hindu  

Four years since bushfires destroyed wide swathes of southeastern Australia, killing 33, the country is once again on high alert, bracing for what weather experts say will be the hottest, driest period since the so-called Black Summer. "Once we've actually dried out the landscape from the wet conditions it's starting from, it could be that we end up with a …

Bureau of Meteorology formally declares El Niño weather event, as hot and dry conditions sweep south-east Australia — as it happened
1 year, 3 months ago

Bureau of Meteorology formally declares El Niño weather event, as hot and dry conditions sweep south-east Australia — as it happened

ABC  

Professor Delene Weber is an environmental scientist and bushfire researcher at the University of South Australia. "We can take time to make sure our Bushfire Survival Plans are up to date, and that everyone in the house is aware of the plan and knows what they can do if they are together or alone in the home if an incident …

Climate change drives hotter, more frequent fire seasons in the Northern Territory
1 year, 3 months ago

Climate change drives hotter, more frequent fire seasons in the Northern Territory

ABC  

Bushfire experts say climate change is fuelling the massive bushfire sweeping across the Barkly region, which will become more frequent in the Northern Territory. Key points: Close to 80 per cent of the NT is expected to burn by March Experts say global warming is leading to greater fire risk School students are taking to the streets to call for …

Spring 2023: Meteorologists warn high temperatures and low rainfall will increase risk of bushfires
1 year, 3 months ago

Spring 2023: Meteorologists warn high temperatures and low rainfall will increase risk of bushfires

Daily Mail  

This spring is set to be dangerously dry and warm with meteorologists urging homeowners to start preparing for bushfires now. Weatherzone meteorologist Corine Brown said two differing weather events, a positive Indian Ocean Dipole affecting Australia's west and a largely-negative southern oscillation index affecting the east, will drive the drier weather. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned this spring will …

'Catastrophic' bushfire warning has thousands of Australians on alert this spring
1 year, 3 months ago

'Catastrophic' bushfire warning has thousands of Australians on alert this spring

Daily Mail  

Residents in southern Queensland are being warned to brace for catastrophic bushfire conditions for the first time in almost three years. On Monday, residents of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt regions, which includes Toowoomba and Warwick, will face the highest fire threat rating. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services chief superintendent Tony Johnstone said the catastrophic rating meant fires could …

Why a repeat of Black Summer is unlikely this fire season despite El Niño warnings
1 year, 4 months ago

Why a repeat of Black Summer is unlikely this fire season despite El Niño warnings

ABC  

Recent wildfires across the Mediterranean coupled with warnings of El Niño and Earth's hottest month on record have raised questions about what's ahead for Australia's bushfire season. After three years of La Niña rains suppressed bushfire activity, it's highly probable this spring and summer will be the most active fire season in four years. There are five major factors that …

Australian bushfires may have helped trigger La Nina
1 year, 7 months ago

Australian bushfires may have helped trigger La Nina

The Hindu  

Australia's "Black Summer" bushfire catastrophe coughed up so much smoke it may have fuelled the global onset of La Nina in 2020, according to new research published Thursday. The "Black Summer" bushfires raged across Australia's eastern seaboard from late 2019 to early 2020, razing swathes of forest, killing millions of animals, and blanketing cities in noxious smoke. A rare "triple-dip" …

Australia’s east faces ‘worst heatwave in two years’ as bushfires continue to rage
1 year, 9 months ago

Australia’s east faces ‘worst heatwave in two years’ as bushfires continue to rage

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Bushfires continue to burn across New South Wales as Sydney and some other parts of …

Flooded NSW towns and dry parts of WA face 'above normal' bushfire potential, says national fire council
2 years ago

Flooded NSW towns and dry parts of WA face 'above normal' bushfire potential, says national fire council

ABC  

Fire authorities are warning flooded inland towns in New South Wales and drier parts of southern Western Australia should prepare for "above normal fire potential" this summer. Key points: Large swathes of NSW and parts of southern WA are expected to be at "above normal" fire risk this summer Record rainfall in eastern Australia is expected to create significant fuel …

Larger fires, heavier rains forecast in Australia as world warms
2 years, 1 month ago

Larger fires, heavier rains forecast in Australia as world warms

Al Jazeera  

Rising temperatures are causing longer fire seasons and heavier rainfall events in Australia, a new report says. Greenhouse gases have caused Australia’s climate to warm up by about 1.47 degrees Celsius over the past century, according to a new government report, resulting in larger and more frequent fires, heavier rainfall and flash floods, as well as an increase in mass …

'Horrendous' Wheatbelt bushfires still pose a threat, says fire chief
2 years, 10 months ago

'Horrendous' Wheatbelt bushfires still pose a threat, says fire chief

ABC  

Fires that tore through Western Australia's agricultural heartland overnight scorching farmland and destroying homes still pose a threat. Key points: Southern WA is hit by spate of fires across the weekend Twin bushfires are raging through WA's Wheatbelt, scorching farm land and razing at least one home Catastrophic conditions have left hundreds of firefighters battling blazes Twin fires hit the …

Bushfires that burn more than a million hectares increasing due to climate change, CSIRO finds
3 years ago

Bushfires that burn more than a million hectares increasing due to climate change, CSIRO finds

ABC  

Climate change is increasing the frequency of megafires in Australia and putting entire ecosystems at risk, new research by the CSIRO has found. Key points: The frequency of megafires, in which over 1 million hectares of forests were burnt, increased suddenly after 2000 The worst fire seasons typically follow a La Niña weather phenomenon, which Australia is currently experiencing The …

Winter, spring rains drive increased grassfire potential in Australia's eastern states
3 years, 3 months ago

Winter, spring rains drive increased grassfire potential in Australia's eastern states

ABC  

Bushfires are more likely this spring, all the way from western Victoria to Townsville, according to the annual Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, Spring 2021. Key points: Eastern Australia faces an increased potential for grassfires this spring The eastern two-thirds of Australia can expect a wetter-than-average spring Some regions of the south-east can expect a lower-than-normal potential for bushfires this spring The …

Total fire bans announced for nine South Australian districts ahead of windy conditions
3 years, 8 months ago

Total fire bans announced for nine South Australian districts ahead of windy conditions

ABC  

Total fire bans have been issued across nine South Australian districts for Tuesday, as "very strong northerly winds" cause dangerous fire weather conditions. Key points: Nine South Australian districts will be under total fire bans on Tuesday Strong northerly winds are expected to move across the state, most of which is "very dry" The Country Fire Service is urging the …

Perth Hills bushfire at 'critical' stage as firefighters struggle to contain massive blaze
3 years, 10 months ago

Perth Hills bushfire at 'critical' stage as firefighters struggle to contain massive blaze

ABC  

Fire authorities battling a massive bushfire threatening lives and homes in the Perth Hills say the situation is at a critical stage as strong south easterly winds push the blaze towards houses on the northern edge of the fire. Key points: Wind changes are hindering efforts to control the Perth Hills blaze The massive fire has burned through more than …

Australian Forests Could Take a Long Time to Recover from 'Black Summer' Bushfires: Study
3 years, 11 months ago

Australian Forests Could Take a Long Time to Recover from 'Black Summer' Bushfires: Study

News 18  

A new study published on Thursday revealed “massive concerns” about the long-term recovery of Australian forests from the devastating 2019-20 “Black Summer” bushfires. The study, which was published by Australian National University and Griffith University, warned that early signs of recovery from the fires could be deceiving, reports Xinhua news agency. “It’s wonderful to see the green growth back in …

Australia faces more fires, drought as climate continues to heat
4 years, 1 month ago

Australia faces more fires, drought as climate continues to heat

Al Jazeera  

Country’s weather bureau says higher temperatures and less rainfall creating conditions for more extreme weather events. Australia’s climate is expected become hotter and drier, increasing the risk of drought and extreme weather events such as the bushfires that devastated swathes of southeastern Australia in the last southern hemisphere summer, according to the latest climate report from the country’s weather bureau. …

Australia wildfires probe recommends climate risk forecasts
4 years, 1 month ago

Australia wildfires probe recommends climate risk forecasts

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — An investigation into Australia’s catastrophic wildfire season on Friday recommended greater efforts to forecast the impacts of climate change on specific parts of the country, warning fire behavior was becoming more extreme. Discrepancies between states’ fire hazard mapping methods “make it difficult to measure risk at a national scale or to undertake comparative risk between regions.” “Improving …

BOM's severe weather outlook signals wet summer ahead, with flooding and more cyclones likely
4 years, 2 months ago

BOM's severe weather outlook signals wet summer ahead, with flooding and more cyclones likely

ABC  

The Bureau of Meteorology's severe weather outlook suggests there is an increased risk of flooding this summer in the east and north of Australia as the La Niña makes its presence felt. Key points: There is an increased risk of flooding for the east and north, with a slightly above-average cyclone risk This year's above-average forecast for cyclones bucks the …

Emergency situation declared amid bushfire threat around Darwin, conditions to worsen on Thursday
4 years, 3 months ago

Emergency situation declared amid bushfire threat around Darwin, conditions to worsen on Thursday

ABC  

An emergency situation has been declared in response to the bushfire threat near Darwin, with dangerous weather conditions set to worsen on Thursday. Key points: Extreme fire conditions over the Top End are expected to deteriorate on Thursday The declaration of an emergency situation allows for forced evacuations if necessary A fire that started near Lake Bennett on Monday was …

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