Wildfires or bushfires are fires that burn uncontrollably and that are not managed, unlike the common practice of back burning. A bushfire can burn quickly and can be devastating if not detected and extinguished. In the drier seasons, the dangers of bushfire are very high and are usually caused by lightning, are deliberately lit or started accidentally. A bushfire can destroy homes and buildings, devastate crops, and threaten the lives of people and animals.
Bushfires in Australia occur either as a grass fire or forest fire.
Grass fires
These usually occur on grazing and farm land, although they may take place in remote scrub country, and often destroy fences, livestock, buildings and can claim lives.
Forest fires
Australia’s forests are largely made up of eucalypt trees that once caught alight are very difficult to control and extinguish due to the high amounts of flammable vapour from their leaves. This causes large fireballs in the upper storey of the forest. Large clouds of smoke blanket the ground and make aerial observations difficult.
Causes of bushfires
Bushfires can be caused deliberately or accidentally. Some of these causes are:
Bushfires in Australia occur either as a grass fire or forest fire.
Grass fires
These usually occur on grazing and farm land, although they may take place in remote scrub country, and often destroy fences, livestock, buildings and can claim lives.
Forest fires
Australia’s forests are largely made up of eucalypt trees that once caught alight are very difficult to control and extinguish due to the high amounts of flammable vapour from their leaves. This causes large fireballs in the upper storey of the forest. Large clouds of smoke blanket the ground and make aerial observations difficult.
Causes of bushfires
Bushfires can be caused deliberately or accidentally. Some of these causes are:
- leaving a fire unattended (at a camp, barbeque)
- having an open fire on a dry windy day
- the glass from a bottle or mirror can cause a small flame to become a raging wildfire
- a cigarette or match that has not been put out
- arson which is the deliberate lighting of fires with the intent to cause damage
- flammable chemicals that are left in hot areas or in the sun.
Fire seasons around Australia:
This map shows when the fire season is most likely to occur in the different states of Australia
This map shows when the fire season is most likely to occur in the different states of Australia
The Fire Danger Rating tells you how dangerous a fire would be if one started.
It helps you to know when conditions are dangerous enough to enact your bushfire survival plan.
Ratings are forecast using Bureau of Meteorology data for up to four days in advance, based on weather and other environmental conditions such as fuel load.
The rating is your prompt to take action to stay safe.
It helps you to know when conditions are dangerous enough to enact your bushfire survival plan.
Ratings are forecast using Bureau of Meteorology data for up to four days in advance, based on weather and other environmental conditions such as fuel load.
The rating is your prompt to take action to stay safe.
This is how the CFA warns the community and how the public can receive warnings about bushfires