FIREFIGHTER numbers will need to double to combat increasingly dangerous bushfire seasons as a result of intensifying climate change.
The Worst Bushfires in Australian History
BY 2030 there will not be enough firefighters to combat increasingly dangerous bushfire seasons, starting earlier and lasting longer as a result of intensifying climate change. Numbers will need to double, according to a worrying new report.
The Climate Council’s ‘Earlier, More Frequent, More Dangerous: Bushfires in New South Wales’ report shows climate change exacerbated the record breaking heat in winter and early spring, sparking dangerous fire conditions across the state and much of Australia.
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| Fire warning ... Firefighters battle recent blaze at Cessnock. Picture: Dylan Robinson Source: News Corp Australia |
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| Destruction ... Shirley Holden stands among the ruins of Uarbry homestead in February. Source: News Corp Australia |
“New South Wales has already experienced many bushfires this season. The bushfire threat has also been exacerbated thanks to unprecedented temperatures in September, with parts of the state reaching more than 40 degrees for the first time on record,” she said.
Professor Hughes said New South Wales will continue to experience an increasing number of days with dangerous fire weather, placing fire services and medical professionals under increasing pressure.
“Communities, emergency services and the health sector needs to be prepared and resourced for worsening fire danger conditions now and into the future. By 2030 firefighter numbers will need to at least double.”
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| NSW is facing bushfire seasons that start earlier and last longer. Picture: Dylan Robinson Source: News Corp Australia |
Key Findings
- Hot, dry conditions have a major influence on bushfires. The 2017 winter in New South Wales was one of the warmest on record and extremely dry, and was then followed by unprecedented September heat, including some regions reaching 40ºC or more for the first time on record.
- Bushfire costs in New South Wales are likely to more than double by mid-century to over $100 million per year. These estimates are conservative, because they do not factor in climate change.
- ‘Above normal’ fire potential is expected for much of the eastern New South Wales in the 2017-18 bushfire season, on the back of warm, dry June-September weather.
- Bushfires have a major negative impact on public health, the economy and the environment in New South Wales.
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| Health hazard ... Bushfire haze hangs over Sydney Harbour in August. Picture: AAP Source: AAP |
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie warned the escalating fire risk in New South Wales also posed a significant threat to human health.
How to prepare your home for bushfire season.
“Bushfire smoke can seriously affect human health, from respiratory irritants, through to inflammatory and cancer-causing chemicals.
Young children, the elderly and those with chronic lung and heart diseases are at greatest risk.” she said.
McKenzie said the Federal Government’s dumping of the Clean Energy Target in favour of the vague ‘National Energy Guarantee’ plan, places Australia at risk of worsening pollution levels, exacerbating more intense heatwaves and bushfire conditions.
“The Federal Government’s energy plan is a classic example of policy on the run. The key tests of a robust energy and climate policy is — does it get down pollution and facilitate the transition to renewable energy? This policy does neither,” she said.
“Tackling climate change, through transitioning to clean, affordable and reliable renewable energy and storage technology is the only solution — this is critical to reducing the risk of worsening extreme weather events including bushfires.”
Links
- Climate Council Report: ‘Earlier, More Frequent, More Dangerous: Bushfires in New South Wales’ (pdf)
- Hot and Dry: Australia's Weird Winter
- Liddell Closure: Poll of Australians
- Australia’s Renewables Race: Who’s Leading the Charge?
- Powering a 21st Century Economy: Secure, Clean, Affordable Electricity
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