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Australian Wildfires - Coggle Diagram
Australian Wildfires
2019-20 'Black Summer'
Background Information
Severe drought and heatwave in December, 1 degree warmer than average recorded temperature
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Primary Impacts
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3,000 properties destroyed
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Smoke travelled 11,000 km across the South Pacific Ocean to Chile and Argentina
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An air tanker and two helicopters crashed killing 3 air tanker crew. 2 fire truck were involved in fatal incidents due to fire conditions, killing 3 fire fighters.
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Responses
A number of states of emergency were declared across New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.
Reinforcements from all over Australia were called in to assist fighting the fires and relive exhausted local fire crews in New South Wales
The Australian Defense Force was mobilized to provide air support to the firefighting effort and to provide manpower and logistical support
Firefighters, supplies and equipment from Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and the US, among others helped fight the fires
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2009 'Black Saturday'
Background Information
Aboriginal people used fire for warmth, hunting, communication, ceremonies, cooking, warfare and for clearing vegetation, encouraging it to regenerate
There are contrasting views on how they should managed. Conservationists want to reduce the impact of 'artificial' management processes.
Property owners want fires to be less extensive and want controlled burning to reduce the amount of combustible vegetation
A 10 year drought caused a build-up of highly flammable litter (eucalyptus oil-rich foliage). Poor management of the forests meant this was not burned off. The temperatures was above 40 degrees and there was fierce winds to drive the flames. Lightning, sparks from barbecues or electricity cable and arsonists cause them.
Primary Impacts
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Area of 450,000 ha of forest burnt
Loss of 12,000 agricultural animals (sheep, cattle, horses)
Loss of stored fodder, grain, hay, standing crops, fruit trees
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Electricity supplies distrupted to over 60,000 residents
Secondary Impacts
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Fires cost $4.4 billion, mostly in insurance
Response
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If the property has a secure fire refuge or bunker then clearing the garden, clearing the gutters and installing a better water pump may save the house
New fire hazard would replace the existing one. Every day during the fire season the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) would forecast an outlook of the Fire Danger Index (FDI) by considering the predicted weather including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and dryness of vegetation. On the highest risk days, residents would be told to leave affected areas.
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The government was urged by experts to ban housing in the highest risk areas, which they claimed were 'some of the most dangerous in the world'.
The government was criticized for allowing rebuilding in Marys Ville, which has been 90% destroyed
Evaluation
Climate change no the only reason why wildfires are becoming more of a hazard. The wildland urban interface, expansion of urban areas WVI exposing more people to wildfires. Over the last 20 years - more homes are at risk.
Abundant undergrowth not reduced by controlled burning as residents dislike this, fear that burning will go out of control.
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If roadside fuel had been cleared people would have been able to evacuate, however they contain many species
Urban Centric Greenies - Liam Sheahan chopped down 250 trees to protect his property. He was fined $100,000.
Royal Commission recommended tripling the amount of control burning. Create a hybrid model to increase awareness.