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Australia fires: A visual guide to the bushfire crisis Australia fires: A visual guide to the bushfire crisis
(3 days later)
Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia.Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia.
Although recent cooler conditions have brought some respite, the states of New South Wales and Victoria are once again braced for the return of severe fire danger - with high temperatures and gusty winds forecast over the next few days. Although recent cooler conditions and rain have brought some respite, more than 100 fires are still burning in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.
Some 27 people have so far been killed - including four firefighters - and an estimated 10 million hectares (100,000 sq km or 15.6 million acres) of bush, forest and parks across Australia has burned. Some 28 people have so far been killed - including four firefighters - and an estimated 10 million hectares (100,000 sq km or 15.6 million acres) of bush, forest and parks across Australia has burned.
If you can't see the map click here.If you can't see the map click here.
New South Wales and Victoria have been worst affectedNew South Wales and Victoria have been worst affected
In the worst-hit state, New South Wales (NSW), fire has affected more than five million hectares, destroying more than 1,800 houses and forcing thousands to seek shelter elsewhere. In the worst-hit state, New South Wales (NSW), fire has affected more than five million hectares, destroying more than 2,000 houses and forcing thousands to seek shelter elsewhere.
About 130 fires were burning across NSW on 9 January, in the bush, mountain forests and national parks with more than 50 uncontained. There were 105 fires burning in the bush, mountain forests and national parks across NSW on 13 January, the Rural Fire Service said, with 38 uncontained.
Two large fires on the border between NSW and Victoria have merged into a so-called "mega blaze".Two large fires on the border between NSW and Victoria have merged into a so-called "mega blaze".
Victoria, where fires have already burned 1.2 million hectares, has declared a "state of disaster" for the worst-hit areas, which allows the authorities to enforce evacuations and let emergency services take over properties. Victoria, where fires have burned 1.2 million hectares, extended a "state of disaster" for the worst-hit areas from 2 to 11 January, allowing authorities to enforce evacuations and let emergency services take over properties.
Three people - including one firefighter - have died in Victoria and around 20 fires are burning.Three people - including one firefighter - have died in Victoria and around 20 fires are burning.
The military has sent troops, ships and aircraft to the region to help relocation and firefighting efforts.The military has sent troops, ships and aircraft to the region to help relocation and firefighting efforts.
Other states are also suffering What's Australia doing to fight the bushfires?
In the state of South Australia, residents have been urged to evacuate the town of Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island as fires burn out of control. South Australia has also suffered
Two people and an estimated 25,000 koalas were killed when flames devastated Kangaroo Island last week. The island is renowned for its unique mix of animal species. Two people and an estimated 25,000 koalas were killed when flames devastated Kangaroo Island in the state of South Australia last week
The island is renowned for its unique mix of animal species.
Experts have expressed concerns over the survival of endangered species on the island which include the dunnart - a mouse-like marsupial - and the black glossy cockatoo.
Tens of thousands of farm animals, mainly sheep, were also killed in the fire.
Videos posted on social media have shown efforts to rescue Koalas which survived the blazes.
Elsewhere in South Australia, the Cudlee Creek fire is reported to have destroyed more than 80 homes in the Adelaide Hills region.Elsewhere in South Australia, the Cudlee Creek fire is reported to have destroyed more than 80 homes in the Adelaide Hills region.
Fires are also thought to have destroyed up to a third of the vines that provide grapes for the Adelaide Hills wine industry.Fires are also thought to have destroyed up to a third of the vines that provide grapes for the Adelaide Hills wine industry.
An emergency warning was also issued in Western Australia on Thursday for several suburbs in the south of Perth. Residents were told they "are in danger and need to act immediately to survive".
Smoke from fires has become a major hazardSmoke from fires has become a major hazard
The Australian capital Canberra - part of an administrative region surrounded by NSW - has seen some of the worst smoke pollution, with air quality rated the third worst of all major global cities on 3 January, according to Swiss-based group AirVisual.The Australian capital Canberra - part of an administrative region surrounded by NSW - has seen some of the worst smoke pollution, with air quality rated the third worst of all major global cities on 3 January, according to Swiss-based group AirVisual.
Satellite images from 4 January show the spread of smoke from fires in Victoria and NSW, which has affected air quality as far away as New Zealand.Satellite images from 4 January show the spread of smoke from fires in Victoria and NSW, which has affected air quality as far away as New Zealand.
The fires have been worse than usualThe fires have been worse than usual
Although Australia has always had bushfires, this season has been a lot worse than normal.Although Australia has always had bushfires, this season has been a lot worse than normal.
The total area of land affected by fires across Australia - 10 million hectares - is now comparable to England's land area of 13 million hectares.The total area of land affected by fires across Australia - 10 million hectares - is now comparable to England's land area of 13 million hectares.
Humans are sometimes to blame for starting the fires, but they are also often sparked by natural causes, such as lightning striking dry vegetation.Humans are sometimes to blame for starting the fires, but they are also often sparked by natural causes, such as lightning striking dry vegetation.
Once fires have started, other areas are at risk, with embers blown by the wind causing blazes to spread to new areas.Once fires have started, other areas are at risk, with embers blown by the wind causing blazes to spread to new areas.
Bush fires themselves can also drive thunderstorms, increasing the risk of lightning strikes and further fires.Bush fires themselves can also drive thunderstorms, increasing the risk of lightning strikes and further fires.
The number of people killed as a result of the fires since September 2019 is higher than in recent years.The number of people killed as a result of the fires since September 2019 is higher than in recent years.
Australia's deadliest bushfire disaster was "Black Saturday" in February 2009, when some 180 people died in Victoria.Australia's deadliest bushfire disaster was "Black Saturday" in February 2009, when some 180 people died in Victoria.
If there is a serious risk of fire reaching homes or properties, authorities urge people to leave in good time as fire can travel fast - faster than most people can run.If there is a serious risk of fire reaching homes or properties, authorities urge people to leave in good time as fire can travel fast - faster than most people can run.
So is this down to climate change?So is this down to climate change?
Many Australians are asking that very question - but the science is complicated.Many Australians are asking that very question - but the science is complicated.
Scientists have long warned that a hotter, drier climate will contribute to fires becoming more frequent and more intense. Many parts of Australia have been in drought conditions, some for years, which has made it easier for the fires to spread and grow.Scientists have long warned that a hotter, drier climate will contribute to fires becoming more frequent and more intense. Many parts of Australia have been in drought conditions, some for years, which has made it easier for the fires to spread and grow.
Data shows that Australia has warmed overall by slightly more than one degree Celsius since 1910, with most of the heating occurring since 1950, the Bureau of Meteorology says.Data shows that Australia has warmed overall by slightly more than one degree Celsius since 1910, with most of the heating occurring since 1950, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Australia broke its all-time temperature record twice in December. An average maximum of 40.9C was recorded on 17 December, broken a day later by 41.9C, both beating 2013's record of 40.3C.Australia broke its all-time temperature record twice in December. An average maximum of 40.9C was recorded on 17 December, broken a day later by 41.9C, both beating 2013's record of 40.3C.
By the end of the month every state had measured temperatures above 40C - including Tasmania, which is usually much cooler than the mainland.By the end of the month every state had measured temperatures above 40C - including Tasmania, which is usually much cooler than the mainland.
A climate phenomenon is behind the heatwaveA climate phenomenon is behind the heatwave
The main climate driver behind the heat has been a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) - an event where sea surface temperatures are warmer in the western half of the ocean, cooler in the east.The main climate driver behind the heat has been a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) - an event where sea surface temperatures are warmer in the western half of the ocean, cooler in the east.
The difference between the two temperatures is currently the strongest in 60 years.The difference between the two temperatures is currently the strongest in 60 years.
As a result, there has been higher-than-average rainfall and floods in eastern Africa and droughts in south-east Asia and Australia.As a result, there has been higher-than-average rainfall and floods in eastern Africa and droughts in south-east Asia and Australia.
Andrew Watkins, head of long-range forecasts at the bureau, said the dipole was crucial to understanding the heatwave.Andrew Watkins, head of long-range forecasts at the bureau, said the dipole was crucial to understanding the heatwave.
"The key culprit of our current and expected conditions is one of the strongest positive Indian Ocean dipole events on record," he says."The key culprit of our current and expected conditions is one of the strongest positive Indian Ocean dipole events on record," he says.
"A positive IOD means we have cooler than average water pooling off Indonesia, and this means we see less rain-bearing weather systems, and warmer than average temperatures for large parts of the country.""A positive IOD means we have cooler than average water pooling off Indonesia, and this means we see less rain-bearing weather systems, and warmer than average temperatures for large parts of the country."
And meteorologists warn that, for the moment, the intense weather and elevated fire risk in Australia is set to continue.And meteorologists warn that, for the moment, the intense weather and elevated fire risk in Australia is set to continue.