Australia is bracing for an early start to its bushfire season following the warmest August on record. The Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) released the official bushfire outlook for spring 2024, highlighting heightened risks across several regions.
The states of Queensland and the Northern Territory in northern Australia, along with Victoria and South Australia in the south, are particularly vulnerable as the season kicks off on September 1 and extends through November.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reports an increased likelihood of unusually high spring maximum temperatures across most of Australia. In northern regions, dry grasslands caused by persistent dry winds and unseasonal rainfall earlier this year have led to higher fuel loads, elevating the fire risk.
In southern parts of the country, rainfall has been in the lowest 10 percent on record for the first half of 2024. This lack of precipitation has resulted in abundant dead and dry plant material, further increasing the susceptibility to fires.
AFAC Chief Executive Rob Webb emphasized the importance of preparation, urging communities to develop fire plans. \"Fire and emergency services are prepared for the fire season ahead and are here today to encourage communities to do the same,\" Webb stated at the AFAC annual conference in Sydney. He advised residents to understand their local risk, know where to find reliable information, and discuss preparedness plans with their families.
The BoM confirmed that August was Australia’s warmest on record, with the national average temperature for the month soaring 3.03 degrees Celsius above the long-term average. Their spring long-range forecast indicates a continued trend of warmer-than-average temperatures across all Australian states and territories for the upcoming season.
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Authorities warn of likely early start to Australian bushfire season
cgtn.com
