Damon Mcknight
Australia's 2019-2020 bushfire season was one of the most intense in the country's history. By January 2020, the fires had burned over 12 million acres of land, with at least 24 people killed and more than 2,000 homes destroyed. The fires were fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought, and the smoke was visible from space, spreading as far as New Zealand and causing hazardous air quality levels. The bushfires also had a devastating impact on wildlife, with an estimated 480 million to 1 billion animals affected across the country. The Australian government committed 2 billion Australian dollars towards the recovery effort, and the military was involved in firefighting and relocation efforts.
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What You'll Learn
The 2019-2020 bushfire season
The bushfires were fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that Australia had warmed by more than one degree Celsius since 1910, with most of the heating occurring since 1950. The fires were also exacerbated by prolonged drought, with 95% of the state affected in 2019. In December 2019, the New South Wales government declared a state of emergency as temperatures reached 49 degrees Celsius.
The fires had a devastating impact on Australia's unique wildlife and natural landscapes. An estimated one billion animals were killed, and some endangered species may have been driven to extinction. The WWF estimated that 1.25 billion animals had been impacted by the fires, and the true loss of animal life is likely to be much higher. The fires also destroyed habitats, including forests and bushland, which will take decades to recover. The cost of dealing with the bushfires was expected to exceed $4.4 billion, and the tourism sector lost more than $1 billion in revenue.
The Australian government committed $2 billion towards the recovery effort, in addition to emergency and disaster payments and financial support for volunteer firefighters. The military also sent troops, ships, and aircraft to the region to help with relocation and firefighting efforts. Despite these efforts, the fires continued to burn for months, and the full extent of the damage may never be known. The 2019-2020 bushfire season was a devastating event that highlighted the increasing risk of severe fires due to climate change.
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The impact on wildlife
Australia's bushfires of 2019-2020 burned over 12 million acres of land, with millions of animals killed and billions more impacted. The fires were fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and severe drought, and the smoke was visible from space. The impact on wildlife has been devastating and far-reaching.
The fires directly killed millions of animals, including an estimated 25,000 koalas, as well as kangaroos, wallabies, gliders, kookaburras, cockatoos, honeyeaters, and many others. This number does not include insects, bats or frogs, and the true loss of animal life is likely much higher. It is estimated that up to 3 billion animals were harmed by the fires, with many losing their habitats and food sources. The full extent of the damage may never be known, but it is clear that the fires have had a catastrophic impact on Australia's unique and diverse wildlife.
The bushfires also destroyed critical habitats for many species. In the case of the grey-headed flying fox, the 2019-2020 fire season burned nearly ten times the amount of total habitat across its range compared to the previous season. This included critical winter habitats, which are essential for the survival of this species. The loss of habitat will have long-lasting effects on the affected wildlife populations, and it may take decades for some forests to recover.
The fires also exacerbated the ongoing extinction crisis in Australia. Some species, such as the dunnart and the black glossy cockatoo, are now at risk of extinction due to the loss of habitat and food sources. The fires also impacted farm animals, with tens of thousands of sheep killed in the blazes. The impact on wildlife has been so severe that it has been described as one of the worst wildlife disasters in modern history.
The Australian government has committed 2 billion Australian dollars towards the recovery effort, but the process will be long and challenging. The scale of the fires and the devastation they have caused highlight the urgent need for climate action to prevent such disasters in the future. The impact of the bushfires on Australia's wildlife has been profound and far-reaching, and the full extent of the damage may not be known for years to come.
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Human casualties
Australia has experienced some of its worst bushfires in recent years, with the 2019-2020 bushfire season being particularly devastating. During this period, fires ravaged an estimated 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres) of land, destroying over 5,900 buildings and taking a devastating toll on human life.
At least 34 people lost their lives in the 2019-2020 bushfire season, including four firefighters. The impact on the state of New South Wales was profound, with over 5,400,000 hectares burned, more than 2,000 homes destroyed, and thousands of people forced to evacuate. The fires in New South Wales also took a heavy toll on the state's wildlife, with an estimated one billion animals perishing.
The human cost of the bushfires extends beyond the immediate loss of life. The fires caused hazardous air quality, leading to dangerous pollution levels. The smoke from the fires travelled vast distances, causing haze in New Zealand, over 1,000 miles away, and even reaching Chile and Argentina. The bushfires also emitted massive amounts of carbon dioxide, with estimates ranging from 306 million to 434 million tonnes, exacerbating global warming concerns.
The 1974-1975 bushfire season, which affected arid and grassland areas, also resulted in human casualties. While the exact death toll is unknown, it is estimated that six people lost their lives, along with 57,000 farm animals, and farmers' crops. Additionally, the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983 resulted in the loss of 75 lives and widespread destruction across South Australia and Victoria.
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The cost of dealing with the fires
The 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia burned over 12 million acres of land, with at least 24 people killed and more than 2,000 homes destroyed. The cost of dealing with the fires was expected to be significant, with the tourism sector alone losing more than $1 billion in revenue. The Australian government committed $2 billion towards the recovery effort, in addition to existing emergency and disaster payments and financial support for volunteer firefighters.
The fires had a devastating impact on agriculture, with farmers losing 25,000 sheep and cattle in New South Wales and Victoria alone. Combined damage to crops and livestock reached $2 billion, and farm values fell by an additional $2 billion to $3 billion as charred land scared off buyers. The total cost of the fires to Australia's agricultural GDP was estimated to be between $4 billion and $5 billion, or 6% to 8% of the total.
The fires also took a toll on wildlife, with ecologists estimating that up to 480 million mammals, birds, and reptiles were lost. Some endangered species may have been driven to extinction, and it is feared that entire species of plants and animals may have been wiped out. The full extent of the damage to wildlife may never be known, but it is clear that the fires had a significant impact on Australia's unique ecosystems.
Overall, the cost of dealing with the 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia was expected to be significant, with impacts on tourism, agriculture, wildlife, and emergency response. The Australian government, military, and volunteer organizations played a crucial role in the recovery effort, and the country united to heal from the devastating fires.
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The Australian government's response
The Australian Bushfire and Climate Plan is a national strategy that aims to protect Australians from worsening bushfires and support communities in leading recovery efforts. The plan was developed in 2020 with input from over 150 experts and affected community members. It provides a broad framework and practical steps for governments, fire and land management agencies, and communities to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.
The commonwealth's ad hoc response to aerial firefighting has been particularly criticized. Despite a funding agreement reached in 2003, the federal share of funding for the National Aerial Firefighting Agency had significantly decreased by 2017. While additional funding was provided in 2018 and 2019, it was insufficient to match the escalating fire threat. The government eventually announced further funding to deploy more air tankers and make the funding increase permanent.
The Australian Defence Force played a crucial role in the bushfire response, with liaison officers deployed to the NSW bushfire headquarters as early as November. The government also made the unprecedented decision to call upon 3,000 Army, Navy, and Air Force reservists to assist in firefighting efforts. However, there were communication issues regarding the deployment of these resources, with the NSW RFS commissioner claiming he learned of the plans through the media.
The government committed an additional 2 billion Australian dollars towards the recovery effort, recognizing the long-term impact of the fires. This funding was intended to complement the government's existing emergency and disaster payments and financial support for volunteer firefighters. The bushfire crisis in Australia highlighted the need for improved coordination and communication between federal and state authorities to ensure a swift and effective response to such disasters.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 14 January 2020, it is estimated that around 46 million acres have burned across Australia.
The 1974-75 bushfire season burned the most acreage, with 250 million acres affected. The 2019-20 season has affected mainly forested land, whereas the 1974-75 season affected mainly grasslands.
The acreage burned in Australia so far is comparable to the land area of England, and is twice the size of the US state of Maryland.
