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Australia fires: A very simple guide | Australia fires: A very simple guide |
(3 days later) | |
Australia is fighting one of its worst bushfire seasons, fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought. | Australia is fighting one of its worst bushfire seasons, fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought. |
Here's a very simple guide to what's going on: | Here's a very simple guide to what's going on: |
Where are the fires? | Where are the fires? |
The fires burn along stretches of the eastern and southern coast, which is where most of the population lives. This includes areas around Sydney and Adelaide. | The fires burn along stretches of the eastern and southern coast, which is where most of the population lives. This includes areas around Sydney and Adelaide. |
Since September fires have killed at least 19 people and dozens remain missing. | Since September fires have killed at least 19 people and dozens remain missing. |
More than four million hectares have burned in New South Wales alone - one hectare is roughly the size of a sports field. | More than four million hectares have burned in New South Wales alone - one hectare is roughly the size of a sports field. |
To put that in perspective: some 900,000 hectares burned in the 2019 Amazon fires and around 800,000 hectares in 2018 in California. | To put that in perspective: some 900,000 hectares burned in the 2019 Amazon fires and around 800,000 hectares in 2018 in California. |
Why are the fires so bad? | Why are the fires so bad? |
Australia has always experienced bushfires - it has what's known as a fire season - but this year they are a lot worse than normal. | Australia has always experienced bushfires - it has what's known as a fire season - but this year they are a lot worse than normal. |
The immediate cause is weather, specifically a phenomenon known as the Indian Ocean Dipole, which has meant a hot, dry spell. | The immediate cause is weather, specifically a phenomenon known as the Indian Ocean Dipole, which has meant a hot, dry spell. |
This year, Australia twice set a new temperature record: an average maximum of 40.9C was recorded on 17 December, broken a day later by 41.9C. | This year, Australia twice set a new temperature record: an average maximum of 40.9C was recorded on 17 December, broken a day later by 41.9C. |
That comes on top of a long period of drought. Some fires are also started deliberately. | That comes on top of a long period of drought. Some fires are also started deliberately. |
How are the fires fought? | How are the fires fought? |
Firefighters are spraying water and fire retardant from planes and helicopters as well as from the ground. | Firefighters are spraying water and fire retardant from planes and helicopters as well as from the ground. |
But fighting bush fires is extremely difficult and often authorities have to focus on just stopping the spread, rather than putting the fire out. | But fighting bush fires is extremely difficult and often authorities have to focus on just stopping the spread, rather than putting the fire out. |
The spread can for instance be contained by digging earth boundaries to stop the flames from spreading. The priority is saving lives. | The spread can for instance be contained by digging earth boundaries to stop the flames from spreading. The priority is saving lives. |
Who is doing the work? | Who is doing the work? |
Professional firefighters are the first in line to battle the flames, but they are outnumbered by the thousands of volunteers. Three of them have died. | Professional firefighters are the first in line to battle the flames, but they are outnumbered by the thousands of volunteers. Three of them have died. |
There's also help coming from abroad: the US, Canada, and New Zealand have sent firefighters to help. | There's also help coming from abroad: the US, Canada, and New Zealand have sent firefighters to help. |
Australia's police, military and navy are involved in rescue and evacuation efforts. | Australia's police, military and navy are involved in rescue and evacuation efforts. |
Is this climate change? | Is this climate change? |
The overwhelming scientific consensus is that rising levels of CO2 are warming the planet. | The overwhelming scientific consensus is that rising levels of CO2 are warming the planet. |
Australia has been getting hotter over recent decades and is expected to continue doing so. | Australia has been getting hotter over recent decades and is expected to continue doing so. |
While fires are a natural part of the Australian weather cycle, scientists have long warned that this hotter, drier climate will contribute to fires becoming more frequent and more intense. | While fires are a natural part of the Australian weather cycle, scientists have long warned that this hotter, drier climate will contribute to fires becoming more frequent and more intense. |
The more extreme weather patterns and higher temperatures increase the risk of bushfires and allow them to spread faster and wider. | The more extreme weather patterns and higher temperatures increase the risk of bushfires and allow them to spread faster and wider. |
How badly affected is the wildlife? | How badly affected is the wildlife? |
While people can flee the fires and are being evacuated if need be, the flames are devastating wildlife in the affected areas. | While people can flee the fires and are being evacuated if need be, the flames are devastating wildlife in the affected areas. |
Fast movers like kangaroos can often flee the fires unless they get trapped and are surrounded by flames. Koalas are slow-moving and often die in the flames. | |
But the fires don't only kill animals directly, they also destroy the habitat, leaving the survivors vulnerable even once the fires have gone. | But the fires don't only kill animals directly, they also destroy the habitat, leaving the survivors vulnerable even once the fires have gone. |
One academic study estimated that nearly 500 million animals have already died in New South Wales alone. Untold numbers of cattle and sheep are lost. | One academic study estimated that nearly 500 million animals have already died in New South Wales alone. Untold numbers of cattle and sheep are lost. |
What is the government doing? | What is the government doing? |
Each state is running its own emergency operation - New South Wales is officially in a state of emergency. | Each state is running its own emergency operation - New South Wales is officially in a state of emergency. |
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised better funding for firefighting and payouts for volunteer firefighters. | Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised better funding for firefighting and payouts for volunteer firefighters. |
But the national government has come under strong criticism from its opponents that it's not been doing enough against climate change. | But the national government has come under strong criticism from its opponents that it's not been doing enough against climate change. |
The country is one of the world's biggest per capita greenhouse gas emitters but under international agreements it has committed itself to reduction targets. | The country is one of the world's biggest per capita greenhouse gas emitters but under international agreements it has committed itself to reduction targets. |
Mr Morrison has repeatedly defended his government's stance. | Mr Morrison has repeatedly defended his government's stance. |