Leslie Massey
Australian bushfires have caused hundreds of deaths since 1851. The 2019-2020 bushfires, the worst in the country's history, led to the deaths of at least 33 people, with one source citing 34 fatalities. The bushfires also caused immense damage to wildlife and forests, with nearly 3 billion animals perishing or displaced, and over 29 million acres of forest and woodland burnt. The human death toll from the 2019-2020 bushfires includes two people who died in the Ravine bushfire on Kangaroo Island, one elderly woman who died of respiratory distress after exiting a plane in smoke-flooded Canberra, and two volunteer firefighters. The five most deadly blazes in Australian history include Black Saturday in 2009, Ash Wednesday in 1983, Black Friday in 1939, Black Tuesday in 1967, and the Gippsland fires and Black Sunday of 1926.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths | 33 |
| Number of deaths, Black Saturday 2009 | 173 |
| Number of deaths, Ash Wednesday 1983 | 75 |
| Number of deaths, Black Friday 1939 | 71 |
| Number of deaths, Black Tuesday 1967 | 62 |
| Number of deaths, Gippsland fires and Black Sunday 1926 | 60 |
| Number of deaths, 2019-2020 bushfires | 34 |
| Number of deaths, 2019-2020 bushfires (New South Wales) | 25 |
| Number of deaths, 2019-2020 bushfires (by 2 January 2020) | 2 |
| Number of deaths, 2019-2020 bushfires (by 6 January 2020) | 2, plus 1 missing woman |
| Number of deaths, 18-22 January 2003 | 4 |
| Number of deaths since 1851 | 800+ |
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What You'll Learn
- Direct causes of death include smoke inhalation and burning
- Fatalities are exacerbated by the destruction of homes and property
- Deaths can occur indirectly due to the depletion of resources
- Poor air quality caused by smoke can lead to respiratory distress
- The loss of habitats and food sources can threaten entire species
Direct causes of death include smoke inhalation and burning
Smoke inhalation and burning are among the direct causes of death in Australian bushfires. The 2019-2020 bushfires, for instance, resulted in the deaths of 33 people, with 25 of those occurring in New South Wales. The first death directly linked to poor air quality during this season was recorded on 2 January 2020. An elderly woman suffered respiratory distress and died after exiting her plane onto a smoke-flooded tarmac in Canberra.
The 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria were the most deadly in Australian history, with 173 fatalities recorded over 21 days. This fire season also resulted in the loss of 2,000 homes and the displacement of 7,562 people. The Gippsland fires and Black Sunday of 1926 in Victoria, which killed 60 people over two months, are the fifth most deadly bushfires in Australia.
The 1939 fire season was one of the worst on record, with the Black Friday bushfires in Victoria on 13 January as its peak. However, fires continued to burn the urban fringes of Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra for the entire summer. The 1974-75 bushfire season also impacted 15% of Australia's physical land mass, burning between 100 and 117 million hectares.
The 2019-2020 bushfires affected densely populated areas, including holiday destinations. This resulted in a higher human death toll and property damage. The impact of these fires was immense, with 3,094 homes lost and 29 million acres of forest and woodlands burned. The global community responded to this crisis, raising $50 million for the WWF Australian Wildlife & Nature Recovery Fund.
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Fatalities are exacerbated by the destruction of homes and property
The destruction of homes and property during bushfires in Australia has had a significant impact on the number of fatalities. When homes are destroyed, people are left displaced and vulnerable, often seeking shelter in temporary accommodation or with friends and family. This displacement can lead to overcrowding, which further exacerbates the risk of fatalities in subsequent bushfires.
During the 2019-2020 bushfires, approximately 3,094 homes were lost, and the fire season was described as the "most catastrophic" in the country's history. The impact of these fires was immense, with 33 lives lost and nearly 3 billion animals perished or displaced. The destruction of property also resulted in the loss of businesses, which can have long-lasting economic consequences for individuals and communities.
One of the most devastating examples of property destruction is the 2009 Black Saturday bushfire in Victoria. This single bushfire resulted in 173 fatalities and the loss of 2,000 homes. The impact of this fire was exacerbated by extreme conditions, including high temperatures above 43.0 °C for three consecutive days and strong winds.
The destruction of homes and property during bushfires can also lead to the loss of essential infrastructure, such as water treatment plants. This was evident during the 2019-2020 bushfires, where a water treatment plant was damaged, causing water shortages and further displacement of residents. Additionally, the destruction of power lines and communication towers can hinder emergency response efforts and impact the ability to provide timely warnings to at-risk areas.
The impact of property destruction extends beyond the immediate loss of homes and businesses. It often results in the disruption of transportation networks, such as roads and railways, which can impede emergency response and evacuation efforts. The loss of schools, community centres, and other gathering places can also have long-lasting social and psychological impacts on affected communities. Furthermore, the destruction of historical sites and cultural landmarks can lead to the irreversible loss of cultural heritage.
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Deaths can occur indirectly due to the depletion of resources
Bushfires in Australia have had devastating impacts on both human and animal life, with the fires causing direct and indirect deaths. Deaths can occur indirectly due to the depletion of resources. This was seen during the 2019-2020 bushfires, which were described as the "most catastrophic bushfire season ever experienced in the country's history". The impact of these fires was immense, with up to 19 million hectares burnt, 12.6 million of which were forest and bushland.
The depletion of resources can have fatal consequences, as seen in the loss of over 29 million acres of forest and woodlands, pushing many threatened species to the brink of extinction. The WWF estimated that 1.25 billion animals had been killed by these fires, a figure that was later updated to nearly 3 billion. This includes mammals, birds, and reptiles, with many dying due to the loss of food and shelter. The fires also destroyed 2,176 homes in New South Wales alone, leaving people without shelter and basic necessities.
The 2019-2020 bushfires also impacted water treatment plants, resulting in water shortages. Residents were asked to conserve water, and in some cases, water had to be carted into towns. The loss of water treatment facilities further exacerbated the depletion of resources, creating additional challenges for the affected communities.
Additionally, the air quality in affected areas was severely compromised. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra was blanketed by thick bushfire smoke, with air quality levels at 23 times the hazardous threshold. This poor air quality directly contributed to the death of an elderly woman, who suffered respiratory distress upon exposure to the smoke-filled environment.
The depletion of resources, including the loss of habitats, food, water, and breathable air, highlights the indirect ways in which deaths can occur due to bushfires. The impact of these fires extends beyond the immediate destruction, underscoring the long-lasting and far-reaching consequences for both ecosystems and human populations.
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Poor air quality caused by smoke can lead to respiratory distress
Bushfires are a common occurrence in Australia, with the country experiencing one of its worst bushfire seasons during the summer of 2019-2020. The fires destroyed vast areas of land, homes, and wildlife, and tragically, also took human lives. While the majority of deaths were due to people being directly caught in the fires, there were also fatalities caused by the smoke and poor air quality that resulted.
On 2 January 2020, an elderly woman died after suffering respiratory distress due to the hazardous air quality. She had been travelling from Brisbane to Canberra by plane and upon exiting the plane, she was exposed to the smoke-filled environment. The smoke was so severe that the air quality in Canberra was considered the worst of any city in the world at that time, approximately 23 times the threshold to be deemed hazardous. This prompted Australia Post to halt postal deliveries in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to protect workers from the harmful effects of smoke inhalation.
The impact of poor air quality on human health can be severe, especially for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Smoke from bushfires contains a mixture of gases and fine particles that can be harmful when inhaled. These particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, causing irritation and inflammation in the airways and lungs.
The gases and particles released during a bushfire can include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and tiny particles of burnt vegetation and building materials. Carbon monoxide is of particular concern as it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which occurs when it is inhaled in high concentrations. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and even loss of consciousness.
Additionally, the fine particles in smoke can aggravate existing heart and lung conditions, such as asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease. They can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. For individuals with respiratory conditions, exposure to smoke can trigger asthma attacks or exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Therefore, it is crucial for people in areas affected by bushfires to monitor air quality and take appropriate precautions, such as staying indoors, using air purifiers or filters, and wearing masks when outdoors to reduce the risk of respiratory distress and other health complications.
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The loss of habitats and food sources can threaten entire species
Australia has experienced severe bushfires throughout its history, with large bushfires continuing throughout the 20th century. The country has seen an increase in death tolls and property damage due to the increasing population and urban spread into bushland.
The 2019-2020 bushfires, in particular, have been described as "absolutely" the worst bushfire season on record. These fires burned through at least 32,000 square miles of Australian forest, an area the size of Ireland. The fires destroyed the habitats of an estimated 143 million mammals, 180 million birds, 51 million frogs, and 2.5 billion reptiles. The loss of habitats and food sources can threaten entire species.
A federal environment department analysis found that nearly 50 nationally threatened animal and plant species are believed to have had at least 80% of their living area affected by the fires. Another 65 species have had more than half of their living area impacted. Scientists have warned that some of these affected species could be pushed to extinction. For example, the Kangaroo Island dunnart, an endangered mouse-like marsupial, is one of 49 species that have had at least 80% of their range within fire-hit areas.
The bushfires have also impacted the koala population, with about 12% of their range in NSW, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory believed to have been affected. The Wollemi pine, or "dinosaur tree," is another example of a species that has been threatened by the fires, as the last known natural stand of these trees is in the fire zone.
In addition to the direct loss of life, the loss of habitats and food sources can have long-lasting impacts on species' survival. It is estimated that over a billion animals, and many more bats and insects, will die in total over time due to lost habitat and food sources. This loss is part of a global trend of declining biodiversity, which has severe consequences for ecosystems vital for our own global food production.
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