Australia is a dry continent, with high climate variability, and is continually vulnerable to natural hazards like bushfires. The nation’s capital, Canberra which also well known as Bush Capital is within the vicinity of the several national parks and is prone to the frequent bushfires in severe climatic conditions and also has a strong history of catastrophic bushfire events. Canberra is a city designed and built within a bush and grass landscape where residents are able to live, work and play among nature so bushfires are an inevitable fact of life in the ACT (ACTESA). In the year 2003 bushfire event heavy damage was done and the communities had experienced huge loss of life and their property. The bushfire extent was more than 70% of the
In 2003, possibly one of the worst wildfires in California’s history occurred. This fire, referred to as the Cedar Fire, spread across 273,246 acres.
The Eagle Creek fire—allegedly sparked by teenagers playing with fireworks over Labor Day weekend—has so far consumed over 37,000 acres in and around some of the most cherished spots in the Columbia River Gorge. On September 14, with rain on the way, officials said firefighters continue to employ burnout operations along the eastern section of I-84 as the fire continues to grow.
Australia is the most flammable country on Earth. In 1770, as Captain James Cook sailed along the east coast of Australia, and in his journal he wrote that Australia was a ‘continent of smoke’ due to all the bushfires he could see from his ship. A bushfire is a fire that burns in grass, bush or woodland that can threaten life, property, and the ecosystem. Bushfires can be natural disasters and human caused disasters, since they can be started both ways. They have undesired effects on the ecosystem and people. There are measures taken to prevent these fires which mostly succeed, but repairing the areas after the bushfire is over usually takes a while.
Significant communication challenges were encountered because radio systems used by federal and state agencies are incompatible with radio systems used by local fire departments, law enforcement agencies and other responding resources (Fire Siege, 2003). This lack of compatibility and common frequencies profoundly impacted the ability to coordinate resources and exchange information. The terrain and lack of infrastructure adversely affected the CNF communication system, further hampering communication efforts. Numerous responding resources lacked the ability to field program radios to establish communications with the task force or strike team resources.
Each year in Southern California, the fall is marked by the arrival of the Santa Ana. These winds are described in two different texts, “Brush Fires” by Linda Thomas and “The Santa Ana” by Joan Didion. Both pieces address the relationship between the wind and the community, using rhetorical devices to convey their views. Thomas presents a wind that is essential to nature. Didion, on the other hand, sees the wind as a characteristic Los Angeles, that can sometimes be detrimental. The writers also have contrasting experiences with the fires causes which cause drastic differences in tone, portrayal of the winds, and the overall message within each text.
First off I am going to talk about the B.C Wildfires. The wildfires aren’t a good matter for B.C. In 2012 they made a deal with the government giving registration services for the people in the fires. The Province of B.C strongly encourages all evacuees to register with the Canadian Red Cross, even if aid is not required. Given the current wildfire situation. Red Cross is bringing in additional resources when and as needed to ensure pub
Desert Fire, in Redmond, crafts inspired and tasty Tex-Mex cuisine with a contemporary aesthetic in its relaxing and charming eatery. The golden brown corn-crusted calamari served with chipotle remoulade sauce and the mojo de ajo shrimp and mushrooms sautéed in a buttery pepper sauce make delicious and fun-to-share appetizer options. Some of Desert Fire’s house specialty entrées include the fire-grilled chili rubbed house sirloin in a seven-spice blend, the signature tres enchiladas stuffed with tender chicken, a blend of cheeses and green onions and topped with salsa ranch dressing and the sizzling shrimp fajitas with veggies, rice, beans and guacamole, all of which are prepared to perfection.
In October 2013, a series of multiple bushfires spread throughout NSW, mainly starting in the Blue Mountains.
In northern Australia, the fire season usually coincides with progressive drying following the wet season, peaking late in the dry season usually from around August with the start of more severe fire weather, and concluding with the arrival of more regular storm events and rain in late spring and summer (QPWS 2013). Fire weather conditions such as low relative humidity, high winds and a lack of rain all contribute to increased fire danger. Air temperatures of above 30 degrees celsius are also typically conducive to increased fire weather, as are extended periods of higher than average air temperatures. As shown in Figure 3 below, days
On the 7th of February 2009, an extremely bad bushfire started in Victoria. It has been given the name, The Black Saturday Bushfires, and according to Black Saturday Bushfire (2016), the weather conditions were some of the worst bushfire weather conditions ever recorded. People reacted by 500,000 people making donations to the Red Cross and the government raising over $220 million.
the same day that the bush fire appeared to have originated near a Western Power
Upon the arrival of European settlers in Australia, the Indigenous people were prosecuted and criminalized. One of the many things taken away from the Aboriginal Australians was their practice of fire-stick farming. This was due to a number of reasons that the Europeans saw as justifiable. The main issue that the Europeans had with the cultural and environmental practice was the dangers of purposely creating fires. They feared that the practice would endanger the lives of citizens and livestock, whilst also threatening to destroy infrastructure, farms, houses and towns. After the criminalization of the act of fire-stick farming, the practice largely died out. This increased the extremely violent, devastating wild bushfires. However, after years of studying the culture and practices, the Europeans realized the reason and benefits of fire-stick farming. This awakening began around the 1970’s, and has now had major effects on todays Australian society. More Australians are realizing the benefits of the practice everyday, and this has brought the attention of large corporations and companies, specifically Conco-Phillips. Due to this the practice has now been making a comeback. Locals in Western Arnhem land have struck a deal with the large corporation that concerns fire-stick farming. Research has revealed that the controlled burns release less than half of the carbon emissions produced by the wild bushfires. Now the West Arhnem land natives had made a deal with Conco-Phillips that earns the fuel driven company much sought after carbon credits that allow them to produce more carbon emissions. In conclusion, I believe that this is a testament to how things can completely turn around, and how sometimes the traditional method is the right one. A true underdog story, fire-stick farming has gone from helping out many a people and animal whilst keeping the environment healthy, to being banned and
Bushfires are among all disasters by having a massive cost component as well as a continuous financial impact on the government and Australian people. Every year there is an insurable loss consisting of approximately 80 million to 100 million. Black Friday bushfire of 1939 is estimated to have cost 750 million to repair all damages, the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires were estimated to
A wildfire is any instance of uncontrolled burning in grasslands, brush, or woodlands. Wildfires destroy property and valuable natural resources, and may threaten the lives of people and animals. Wildfires can occur at any time of the year, but usually occur during hot, dry weather. Wildfires are usually signaled by dense smoke which may fill the air for miles around. The National Weather Service, U.S. Forest Service, and State forestry agencies combine to give wildfire probability forecasts. Local radio and television stations broadcast information and warnings on local fire conditions. Wildfires pose an increasing threat to the residential United States. In 1987, 53,000 fires consumed more than two million acres. By October 1988, almost
The first experience I had was travelling through an area called Baynton about 100kms north east of Melbourne early in 2009. It was about 6 weeks after the Black Saturday bushfires devastated the whole region, driving through was incredibly eerie and unsettling. Everything was black and charred, in the paddocks there was no grass, no fences, all the trees were burnt trunks, no foliage at all was present. There were no animals grazing in the paddocks, no wildlife was visible and no green anywhere. Fire is a natural part of life as my friend told me that day, trees will grow again, fences can be mended, the animals and wildlife will return. People are what matter, thankfully no one lost their lives in the region I travelled that day. Seeing the devastation reminded me the power of nature and how there are still many natural occurrences that mankind cannot control or master. Speaking with residents (personal communication, March, 2009), similar and consistent observations were made that bushfire