Australia’s Bushfire Risk Increases This Spring

A supplied image shows a bushfire in Myall Park, Queensland on Feb. 14, 2023. (AAP Image/Supplied by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services)

Communities in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, SA and NT were urged to prepare for bushfires and monitor local conditions after an increased fire risk was detected.

According to a recent report (pdf) from the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC), many Australian regions have seen increased fuel growth due to above-average rainfall throughout recent La Niña years, contributing to an increased risk of bushfires across locations in Australia during spring 2023.

Particularly, large areas of central and northern NSW are expected to see an increased fire risk in the upcoming season.

In response, hazard reduction burns will be undertaken where permitted.

Hazard Burn in Richmond Range National Park

On Thursday, 24 August, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will conduct a large hazard reduction burn in Richmond Range National Park.

NPWS team leader Matt Wiseman said the significant 1,438-hectare burn is a critical piece in the puzzle to protect the national park and private properties from future bushfires.

Mr. Wiseman said the burn was “carefully planned and resourced” with the Northern Rivers district of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

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This burn is one of many hazard reduction operations undertaken by NPWS each year, many with assistance from the NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.

The Richmond Ranges are home to several threatened species, including the endangered mountain frog, black-striped wallaby, and the vulnerable long-nosed potoroo and red-legged pademelon.

“This low-to-moderate intensity burn will help to protect this critical habitat by reducing the severity of future bushfires,” Mr Wiseman said.

“The burn will also provide wildfire mitigation and suppression benefits to rural properties west of the national park.”

The burn, which commenced at 10:30 a.m. today, should take approximately four days to complete and will continue over the weekend with extreme care.

Hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires.

Mr Wiseman said the burn will also “provide wildfire mitigation and suppression benefits to rural properties west of the national park”.

According to the AFAC report, high grass fuel loads in NSW can support intense and fast-spreading grass fires in the event of fires and windy weather.

Although stocking rates continue to recover, large areas of high grass loads persist. These are particularly evident in the central and north-western regions of the state.

Hazard Reduction Burn in Marramarra National Park

To further reduce bushfire fuel loads and protect parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires, the NPWS and the Rural Fires Service (RFS) will conduct another hazard reduction burn in Marramuarra National Park starting Thursday, 24 August 2023.

The prescribed burn will be bounded by Roberts Ridge Trail and Roberts Ridge Branch Trail in the west, Ashdale Creek to the south, within Marramarra National Park, Maroota and Laughtondale local government areas, north-western Sydney.

Record rainfall and flooding have also increased the fire threat.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rodgers said the focus on floods should be shifted back to fire.

“We’ve seen frost now go across the landscape that’s then killing all that grass, making it all ready to burn,” Mr. Rodgers said.

“We’ve got to do this work because if we don’t, then potentially, we will pay the price for it in the summer,” he said.

Queensland Bushfire Outlook

For Queensland, the AFAC report found that a combination of dry fuels, forecast below-average rainfall, and above-average temperatures would likely bring locally intense bushfire activity.

As vegetation becomes flammable during the spring months, bushfires may be destructive across parts of Queensland, the report noted.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach said the findings are a “call to arms” for Queenslanders.

“If you’re thinking about using fire to clean up around your property, you’ve probably left your run too late,” he said.

“We’ve seen significant bush and grassfire activity, particularly across southern Queensland, over the last three weeks.

“Despite us trying to do as much as we can, we’re cognisant that there’s still risk out there.”

Fire authorities warn this is Australia’s worst condition since Black Summer four years ago.

AFAC CEO Rob Webb said although the outlook is not worse than 2019 conditions, “the messages are still very strong.”

“Have a plan and prepare. Do it now before the winds start to pick up and before the temperatures start to rise,” he said.

Bushfire Response and Recovery

NSW Health warns exposure to high temperatures may lead to life-threatening heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and exhaustion. More commonly, heat can make existing chronic diseases worse.

People vulnerable to smoke are encouraged to stay indoors and close doors and windows to reduce exposure.

Returning home safely after a bushfire should require a check-in with local emergency services for safety and, where possible, avoid taking children onto fire-damaged properties, ensuring they remain protected at all times.

The NSW Government is developing a dedicated website that presents air quality data and information that is fit-for-purpose, easy to understand and works well on desktop and mobile devices.