Damon Mcknight
Australia has a long history of destructive bushfires, with over 800 deaths recorded since 1851 and a total accumulated cost of A$1.6 billion as of 2012. The 2019-2020 bushfire season was particularly devastating, with scientists attributing the increased intensity and frequency of these fires to global warming. During this period, New South Wales experienced its worst bushfire season on record, with over 4 million hectares of land burnt and 70-metre-high flames reported. The situation was further exacerbated by increasing temperatures, prolonged drought, and high winds. While an extremely heavy rainstorm in mid-February 2020 helped contain all the fires in New South Wales, fires continued to burn in Victoria, affecting areas such as South Gippsland and the Adelaide Hills region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 26 December 2019 - 4 March 2020 |
| Affected Areas | New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory |
| Cause | Lightning strike, drought, extreme weather conditions |
| Impact | 5 million hectares of land burnt, 33+ fatalities, 2,000+ homes destroyed, rare flora and fauna threatened, air quality impacted |
| Response | National Bushfire Recovery Agency formed, $2 billion pledged by the government, fundraising and relief efforts |
| Containment | All fires contained by 4 March 2020, with the help of heavy rainfall |
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What You'll Learn
The 2019-2020 Australian wildfires
Australia is no stranger to bushfires, but the 2019-2020 season was unprecedented in many ways. The first major bushfires began before the official arrival of spring in June, and new out-of-control fires broke out at the beginning of September 2019. The fire situation worsened significantly in November, with increasing temperatures and a prolonged drought.
The 2019-2020 bushfires were the result of an extremely dry and warm spring and early summer. According to the spring report from the Australia Bureau of Meteorology, it was the driest spring on record for the country as a whole, with rainfall below average almost everywhere. The average daytime high temperature for spring was above or very much above average across nearly all of Australia.
The bushfires affected densely populated areas, including holiday destinations. In the worst-hit state, New South Wales (NSW), fire affected more than five million hectares, destroying more than 2,000 houses and forcing thousands to seek shelter elsewhere. Fires also raged near the Australian capital, Canberra, shutting the city's airport as flames approached.
In January 2020, a wave of heavy rain brought relief to some areas, but it was not sufficient to extinguish the fires. It did, however, provide a respite for firefighters who had seen only occasional breaks in the previous months. Finally, in mid-February, an extremely heavy rainstorm allowed firefighters to contain all of the fires in New South Wales, although fires continued to burn in Victoria.
The 2019-2020 bushfires are estimated to have emitted 306-350 million tonnes of CO2, contributing 2% to the increase in the atmospheric concentration of major greenhouse gases. The cost of dealing with the bushfires is expected to exceed the $4.4 billion of the 2009 Black Saturday fires, and the tourism sector revenues have fallen by more than $1 billion.
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The impact of climate change
Australia has always dealt with bushfires, but climate change has made the problem worse. Scientists have warned that a hotter, drier climate will contribute to fires becoming more frequent and intense. Data shows that Australia's overall temperature has risen by slightly more than one degree Celsius since 1910, with most of the heating occurring since 1950.
The 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia burned approximately 18 million hectares of bush and released around 350 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is as much as two-thirds of Australia's average annual carbon dioxide emissions. The British Met Office predicted that these bushfires would contribute 2% to the increase in the atmospheric concentration of major greenhouse gases, which were forecast to hit 417 parts per million. This would be one of the largest annual increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide ever recorded.
Climate change made the 2019-2020 fire season in Australia 30% more likely, according to an international group of climate scientists. They also believe that the weather conditions that make fires more likely will continue to worsen. The risk of bushfires is definitely increased by climate change, and the actual figure is likely much greater than 30%. If global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius, which is likely, such conditions would occur at least four times more often.
The 2019-2020 fire season was the worst on record, according to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons. More than 2,000 houses were destroyed, and thousands of people were forced to seek shelter elsewhere. The fires also killed at least 33 people, including four firefighters.
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The human cost
Australia's bushfires have had a devastating impact on human life, causing fatalities, injuries, and displacement. The bushfires have also taken a toll on mental health and well-being, with the social costs of mental health problems, unemployment, and increases in suicide, substance abuse, relationship breakdowns, and domestic violence.
Since 1851, Australian bushfires have claimed the lives of over 800 people. The 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria were the deadliest in the country's history, with 173 fatalities over 21 days. The Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983, which affected South Australia and Victoria, resulted in the loss of 75 lives and the destruction of 2,000 buildings. The 2019-2020 bushfires, fueled by intense heat and drought conditions, have resulted in at least 33 deaths, including four firefighters, and affected a vast area of over 11 million hectares across Australia.
The economic cost of the bushfires is substantial, with the 2019-2020 bushfires expected to cost Australia up to $100 billion, making them the country's costliest natural disaster. The cost includes the value of human lives lost, estimated at A$3.7 million per life, as well as the impact on health, productivity, and economic activity. The cost of preventative and responsive management actions, such as deploying firefighters and implementing fuel management strategies, also contributes to the overall economic impact of the bushfires.
The bushfires have also had a significant impact on the environment, releasing approximately 350 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and affecting species and habitats. The Australian forests may take more than 100 years to re-absorb the carbon released during the 2019-2020 fire season. The loss of livestock and crops has also been significant, with one million sheep and thousands of cattle lost in Victoria during the bushfires.
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The impact on wildlife
The impact of the Australian wildfires on wildlife has been devastating, with images of charred bodies of iconic animal species such as kangaroos, koalas, and wombats. Nearly half a billion animals have been impacted by the fires in New South Wales alone, with millions potentially dead, according to ecologists. The large, intense fires have threatened more than 800 million animals in New South Wales, and up to a billion animals across Australia.
The ability of animals to survive the fires varies from species to species. Some animals, like koalas and kangaroos, are primarily killed directly by the fires, either by being incinerated in the flames or choking on smoke. Others, like birds and bats, may be able to escape by flying, but Australia's forest bats are slow flyers and may not be able to outpace the fast-moving fires. Some animals seek refuge in rock crevices or burrows, while others survive in tree hollows or repopulate burned areas from nearby unaffected land. However, the severity and size of the recent fires may limit the effectiveness of these strategies.
The impact of the wildfires on wildlife is not just immediate but also has long-term effects. With their habitats destroyed, some species may not be able to recover, posing a major risk to Australia's biodiversity. The fires have also exacerbated the effects of the drought that preceded them, with animals already undernourished and water sources dried up.
Conservation measures and long-term action on climate change are needed to prevent further devastation of Australia's wildlife and environment. Scientists have advocated for dedicated on-the-ground studies to better understand the physiological impacts of fire and smoke exposure on individual animals and to build a more complete picture of wildfire impacts.
The Australian government has allocated funding to establish habitat corridors and plans for releasing animals that have been in hospitals. However, some fear that without more decisive action, the country's wildlife and environment will continue to be at risk.
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The economic impact
Agriculture and Food Systems
The wildfires have had a substantial impact on agriculture and food production in Australia. In the 2019-2020 fire season, over 10 million hectares were burned in southeastern Australia, with around one-quarter of that being agricultural land. The fires caused an estimated $4-5 billion in economic losses to the Australian food system. There were also short-term increases in food prices and job losses in affected areas. The long-term prospects for Australian food production remain uncertain. The fires, combined with the ongoing drought, have contributed to a decline in farm production and rural exports, particularly for cereal grains. Meat exports, however, have increased due to higher supply and global demand.
Business and Infrastructure
Businesses have also been affected by the wildfires, with assets, property, and infrastructure destroyed or damaged. Significant infrastructure losses include roads, energy, telecommunications, and community assets. The insurance payouts and government assistance provided only partial compensation for these losses. Tourism, an important economic sector for many affected regions, has been disrupted, and inbound tourism may continue to be impacted by negative perceptions of Australia due to the fires.
Environment and Natural Resources
The wildfires have caused extensive damage to natural resources, including forestry and wildlife. The fires have released approximately 350 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, impacting the environment and contributing to climate change. The Australian forests may take more than 100 years to re-absorb this carbon. Additionally, livestock and native animals have perished, further affecting the ecosystem and agricultural industries.
Consumer Spending and Investor Confidence
The constant news coverage of the wildfires and the resulting smoke haze in several cities have weighed on consumer confidence and spending power. Higher prices for food and insurance premiums have further impacted household spending. The wildfires have also highlighted the vulnerability of certain industries and businesses to climate change risks, which investors need to consider when assessing ongoing risks to their portfolios. The Australian share market may experience a short-term hit to economic growth, and the negative impact of the wildfires may keep it as a relative underperformer globally.
Overall, the economic impact of the Australian wildfires has been far-reaching, affecting various sectors and resulting in billions of dollars in losses. The recovery and rebuilding efforts will be crucial in mitigating the long-term economic consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
The largest area of land burned by bushfires in Australia was between 100 and 117 million hectares during the 1974-75 bushfire season. This fire season affected the states of New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
The 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in the state of Victoria claimed 173 lives over 21 days, making it the deadliest bushfire in Australia in terms of human life lost.
Victoria's 1939 Black Friday bushfires destroyed approximately 3,700 homes, making it the most destructive bushfire in terms of property damage.
New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia experienced major bushfires during the 2019-2020 bushfire season.
Yes, all the fires were either extinguished or contained by March 4, 2020.
