Leslie Massey
Australia is no stranger to bushfires, but the 2019-2020 season was unprecedented. The first major bushfires began even before the official arrival of spring in June, and new uncontrolled fires continued to spring up through the fall and winter. By January 2020, fires had burned an estimated 18.6 million hectares, destroyed over 5,900 buildings, and killed at least 34 people and one billion animals. The cost of dealing with the bushfires was expected to exceed $4.4 billion, and the fires have had a dramatic impact on the global climate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area burned | 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres; 186,000 square kilometres; 72,000 square miles) |
| Number of buildings destroyed | 5,900 (including 2,779 homes) |
| Fatalities | 34 people |
| Animal deaths | 1 billion |
| Cost | Over $4.4 billion |
| Date | June 2019 – March 2020 |
| Cause | Record-breaking temperatures, drought |
| Most affected areas | New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia |
| Previous major fire | Black Saturday, February 2009 |
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What You'll Learn
The 2019-2020 bushfires were Australia's worst fire season in history
The bushfires had a significant impact on Australia's economy, affecting businesses, the fishing industry, and tourism. The overall economic impact was expected to exceed the cost of previous fires, such as the 2009 Black Saturday fires, which cost $4.4 billion. The Australian government and various organizations provided support and funding for disaster relief, recovery, and community-led projects.
The fires also raised concerns about the effectiveness of prescribed burning in mitigating risk under extreme fire conditions. Studies found that the risks posed by wildfires were significantly higher during the 2019-2020 fire season, with a mean increase of 230% in residual risk. The impact of the fires on Australia's unique flora and fauna was profound, with conservationists expressing worries about the loss of rare species.
The recovery and rehabilitation efforts for both the human and animal populations affected by the fires were extensive. Wildlife rehabilitation and animal recovery efforts were expected to continue for several years due to the extensive habitat destruction. The Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund raised over $50 million for wildlife and nature recovery, and the Australian Red Cross Society was awarded $336,000 for disaster relief and recovery programs.
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The fires burned 18.6 million hectares
The 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season was unprecedented in scale. By January 2020, fires had burned an estimated 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres) of land. This figure represents more than half of the state of Victoria, which is around 23 million hectares in size. The fires destroyed over 5,900 buildings, including 2,779 homes, and killed at least 34 people. The human death toll includes four firefighters, and the fire also killed an estimated one billion animals. Tens of thousands of farm animals, mainly sheep, were also killed.
The bushfires had a significant impact on the environment, with ecologists estimating the loss of 480 million mammals, birds, and reptiles. There are concerns that entire species of plants and animals may have been wiped out. The fires also affected air quality, with smoke reaching hazardous levels and spreading as far as Chile and Argentina. The cost of dealing with the bushfires is expected to be significant, with tourism sector revenues already falling by more than $1 billion.
The bushfires were fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought, creating ideal conditions for massive blazes. The state of New South Wales was particularly hard hit, with more than 5 million hectares affected and over 2,000 houses destroyed. The fires in New South Wales burned through more land than any other blazes in the past 25 years, making it the worst bushfire season on record for the state.
The 2019-2020 bushfire season in Australia was one of the worst in the country's history in terms of the area of land burnt, wildlife deaths, and environmental damage. The fires burned through remnant rainforests, and the massive scale of the fires led to a significant release of aerosols and smoke into the stratosphere. This had a noticeable impact on the global climate, similar to a volcanic eruption, causing a slight cooling effect.
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34 people were killed, and over 5,900 buildings destroyed
The 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season was one of the worst in the country's history. By 14 January 2020, the fires had burned an estimated 18.6 million hectares, destroyed over 5,900 buildings, and killed at least 34 people. The human death toll included four firefighters, and the fire also killed an estimated one billion animals, including an estimated 25,000 koalas on Kangaroo Island. The fires destroyed 2,779 homes and 48 facilities, with more than 2,000 outbuildings lost in New South Wales alone.
The bushfires were fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought, with hot and windy conditions causing fires to spread rapidly. The state of New South Wales was the worst hit, with over five million hectares of land burned, destroying more than 2,000 houses and forcing thousands to evacuate. Victoria was also badly affected, with over two million hectares burned and 200 homes lost.
The Australian Capital Territory declared a state of emergency as massive bushfires raged south of Canberra, threatening the city and its iconic pine plantations and nature parks. The Mount Stromlo Observatory was also destroyed. The fires in the ACT were compared to those of 2003, when almost 70% of the territory's pastures, pine plantations, and nature parks were severely damaged, and four people lost their lives.
The 2019-2020 bushfires were preceded by a severe fire season in 2018-2019, which included the deadly Townsville fire in Queensland, which destroyed 12 homes and damaged 70 others. The 2019-2020 season also saw the continuation of defensive burning programs in northern Australia, which had been in place since the 1980s and 1990s. These programs have successfully reduced the number of destructive bushfires in the region, burning 57% fewer acres in 2019 than the annual average between 2000 and 2010.
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One billion animals were killed
Australia's 2019-2020 bushfire season was one of the worst in its recorded history. The fires, which started in June 2019, ravaged the country, with blazes in every state and territory. The east coast was particularly hard hit, with mega-blazes causing widespread destruction.
The impact on wildlife was devastating, with an estimated one billion animals killed. This number includes mammals, birds, and reptiles, and the loss of endangered species may drive some to extinction. The University of Sydney estimated that 480 million mammals, birds, and reptiles were lost between September and January, but this figure was later expanded to over a billion.
The toll on wildlife was likely even higher, as some estimates place the number of animals impacted by the bushfires at nearly three billion. This includes animals that were killed or displaced by the fires. The species impacted include mammals, reptiles, birds, and frogs. The WWF has called the disaster one of the worst wildlife disasters in modern history.
The bushfires also had a significant impact on livestock, with tens of thousands of farm animals, mainly sheep, killed in the fires. In addition, thousands of cattle were lost, and it is feared that some unique ecosystems may never recover. The full extent of the damage may not be known for some time, but the bushfires have undoubtedly had a devastating and lasting impact on Australia's wildlife.
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The fires had a significant impact on the global climate
The 2019-2020 Australian bushfires were one of the worst in the country's history in terms of the area of land burnt, wildlife deaths, and environmental damage. The fires burned an estimated 18.6 million hectares, destroyed over 5,900 buildings, and killed at least 34 people and a billion animals. The fires also had a significant impact on the global climate.
The bushfires were fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought, which scientists have linked to climate change. Australia recorded its hottest year on record in 2019, with the bushfire season starting in June, earlier than usual. The hot, dry conditions that primed southeastern Australia's landscape for the bushfires are likely to continue, according to scientists, who warn that climate change has likely exacerbated the situation.
Climate change affects the water cycle, leading to less rainfall in already dry parts of the world, such as Australia. This results in drier vegetation, which increases the risk and intensity of bushfires. The fires themselves also have a ripple effect on the global climate, releasing carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere, which can amplify climate change.
The Australian government has been criticized for its response to the bushfire crisis and its inaction on climate change. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has resisted calls to reduce the country's carbon emissions and has denied the link between the bushfires and climate change. However, scientists stress that climate change is a major reason why the recent blazes in Australia have been so destructive.
The impact of the bushfires extends beyond Australia, with the smoke travelling thousands of kilometres across the South Pacific Ocean to Chile and Argentina. The fires also threatened endangered species, with concerns that some may be driven to extinction. The full extent of the ecological impact may not be known for some time, but the bushfires have undoubtedly had a significant impact on the global climate and highlighted the urgent need to address climate change.
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Frequently asked questions
By January 2020, an estimated 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres) had been burned across all Australian states and territories.
At least 34 people were killed, including four firefighters.
It is estimated that one billion animals were killed, including an estimated 25,000 koalas.
The bushfires produced smoky aerosols that reached the stratosphere and turned New Zealand's glaciers brown with ash. The fires also had a cooling effect on the global climate, similar to a volcanic eruption.
The cost of dealing with the bushfires is expected to exceed the $4.4 billion cost of the 2009 Black Saturday fires, and tourism revenues have also been impacted.
