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2019–20 Australian bushfire season

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{40 year of fuel on ground so what your left with is big fire. 1;No fire wood cutting. 2;No animals (No stock) to eat grass of ground. SO THAT HOW YOU GET A BIG FIRE. {current wildfire}}

2019–20 Australian bushfire season
European Space Agency imagery of smoke haze from the bushfires. The haze has reached both Sydney and Brisbane (labelled).
Date(s)August 2019 – present
LocationAustralia (nationwide)
Statistics
Burned area5,900,000 hectares (15,000,000 acres)
Impacts
DeathsAt least 13
Structures destroyedOver 2,500

The 2019–20 Australian bushfire season heavily impacted various regions of New South Wales: namely the North Coast, Mid North Coast, Cessnock, the Hunter Region, the Hawkesbury north west of Sydney, the Wollondilly south west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the South Coast. Central Queensland and South Eastern Queensland were moderately affected in November. On 20 December, serious fires took hold in South Australia, especially in the Cudlee Creek area of the Adelaide hills. By 21 December 2019, the fires had burnt over 3,000,000 hectares, destroyed over 700 houses and killed at least 9 people with at least one unaccounted for.[1][2]

In December 2019, the state government declared a state of emergency in New South Wales after record-breaking temperatures exacerbated the bushfires.[3][4] The political ramifications of the fire season have been significant. A decision by the New South Wales Government to cut funding to fire services, as well as a holiday taken by Prime Minister Scott Morrison during which two volunteer firefighters died and his perceived general apathy towards the situation, resulted in controversy.

Reinforcements from all over Australia were called in to assist fighting the fires and relieve exhausted local crews in New South Wales. On 11 November it was reported that the CFA ("Country Fire Authority") was sending in a large contingent of up to 300 firefighters and support staff from Victoria.[5] More than 100 firefighters had been sent from Western Australia as of 14 November.[6] Contingents were also sent from South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.[6][5] On 12 November the Federal government announced that the Australian Defence Force was providing air support to the firefighting effort, as well as preparing to provide manpower and logistical support.[7]

On 12 November catastrophic fire danger was declared in the Greater Sydney region for the first time since the introduction of this level in 2009[8]. The Illawarra and Greater Hunter areas also experienced catastrophic fire dangers and other parts of the state, including the already fire ravaged parts of northern NSW, experienced extreme fire dangers.[9] As of 7 December, 2,000,000 ha (4,900,000 acres) has been burnt or is burning in New South Wales,[10] and a total fire ban was in place for seven regions, including Greater Sydney. Since the start of the season, the ongoing bushfires have destroyed 684 homes as well as 48 facilities and more than 2000 outbuildings in New South Wales. Almost 250 homes have been damaged.[10][11][12][13][14]

New South Wales

Northeast

File:AwabaFire2019.jpg
Smoke caused from a fire in Awaba.
Firefighters work to save a burning house from an out of control bushfire in South West Sydney
Fire crews move in to protect properties from an out of control bushfire in South West Sydney

On 6 September, the northern parts of the state experienced extreme fire dangers. Fires included the Long Gully Road Fire near Drake which burnt until the end of October, killing two people and destroying 43 homes.[15] The Mount McKenzie Road Fire also burnt across the southern outskirts of Tenterfield, and severely injured one person, destroyed one home and badly damaged four homes. Also, the Bees Nest Fire near Ebor which burnt until 12 November and destroyed seven homes.[16]

At Hillville, a blaze grew large due to hot and windy conditions, resulting in disorder in the nearby town of Taree, to the north. Buses were called in early to take students home before the fire threat became too dangerous. On Saturday 9 November, the fire reached Old Bar and Wallabi Point, threatening many properties. The following 2 days saw the fire reach Tinonee and Taree South, threatening the Taree Service Centre. Water Bombers dropped water on the facility to protect it. The fire briefly turned in the direction of Nabiac before wind pushed it towards Failford. Other communities affected included Rainbow Flat, Khappinghat, Kooringhat and Purfleet. A spot fire jumped into Ericsson Lane, threatening businesses. It ultimately burnt 31,268 hectares.[17][18]

A large out of control bushfire approaches the New South Wales township of Yanderra

At the Rumba Dump fire just outside the outskirts of Taree and Wingham, the fire tore through the small village of Bobin; numerous homes and the Bobin Public School were destroyed in the fire.[19] The New South Wales Rural Fire Service sent out alerts to people in Killabakh, Upper Lansdowne, Kippaxs, Elands, and Marlee to monitor conditions.

Southeast

In late October, a number of fires started in remote bushland near Lake Burragorang in the Kanangra-Boyd National Park south west of Sydney. Due to rugged inaccessible terrain and the isolation of the area, the fires progressively grew in size over several weeks, ultimately merging into one large fire known as the "Green Wattle Creek Fire". In late November, firefighters worked to protect the township of Yerranderie as the fire approached, securing the town with significant tactical backburning. On 5 December under severe weather conditions, the fire jumped the Burragorang River and began burning towards populated areas within the Wollondilly area. The fire initially impacted the suburbs of Nattai and Oakdale, followed by Orangeville and Werombi, resulting in the destruction of one building. On 11 December the Rural Fire Service confirmed that 724 homes, 49 facilities and 1582 outbuildings had been destroyed and 2,700,000 ha (6,700,000 acres) have been burnt.[20][21]

The fire continued to spread throughout the night and into 6 December, when the fire jumped Silverdale Road and impacted further areas of Orangeville and Werombi, destroying an additional two buildings. Firefighters began significant tactical backburning in the surrounding areas over the following days, attempting to strengthen containment lines. On 14 December and 15 December, the fire flared up again and threatened properties in Oakdale and Buxton. A large fire in November at Gospers Mountain in the Wollemi National Park had burnt over 496,976 ha (1,228,050 acres) and threatened homes in the Hawkesbury and Lithgow areas. The fire was projected to burn towards the Central Coast and potentially threaten properties in Wisemans Ferry and other townships.[7]

On 19 December, under extreme conditions, the fire moved south east and impacted the townships of Balmoral, Buxton, Bargo, Couridjah and Tahmoor. Substantial property losses occurred across these areas, in particular along Wilson Drive, West Parade and Remembrance Driveway. Two volunteer firefighters were killed and three others were injured when a tree fell onto their vehicle, causing it to roll off the road. Five other firefighters injured when their tanker was overrun by fire, two critically. On 21 December, the fire once again impacted Balmoral and Buxton destroying a significant number of houses before moving east towards the Hume Highway, impacting the township of Yanderra. Over the following days the fire continued to progress south and east, impacting Yerrinbool and Hill Top. On the western flank of the fire, the Jenolan Caves and areas east of Oberon also came under threat. [22][23]

On 14 December, firefighters commenced a large backburn in the Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine area, in an attempt to protect the Blue Mountains from the Gospers Mountain bushfire. Due to heavy fuel loads and erratic weather conditions, the backburn quickly grew out of control, threatening houses in Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine. The fire eventually jumped Mt Irvine road and on 15 December under deteriorating conditions, the fire impacted Mt Tomah, Berambing and Bilpin. The fire destroyed numerous houses and buildings in this area, and then jumped the Bells Line of Road into the Grose Valley.[24]

The Gospers Mountain Fire impacted on the blue mountains towns of Mount Wilson, Mount Tomah, on an extreme day 19th of December the fire impacted on the darling causeway between Mount Victoria and Bell it jumped the Darling Causeway later the fire would hit the Grose Valley and the fire would be split into 2 fires Grose Valley Fire and Gospers Mountain Fire, the Grose Valley Fire on the 21st of December on a catastrophic day, Mount Victoria and Blackheath was impacted as well as Bell, Clarence, Dargan and Bilpin were impacted destroyed dozens of homes, both Gospers Mountain Fire and the Grose Valley fire moved towards Kurrajong, back burning operations were put in place to save Kurrajong and surrounds and to save all Blue Mountains towns from Katoomba to winmalee. On the 30th of December Gospers Mountain Fire has burnt over 500000 hectares. By 15 December, the Gospers Mountain fire had grown to 350,000 hectares, making it the biggest forest fire in Australian history.[25]

On 30 December weather conditions drastically deteriorated across the south eastern areas of the state, with major fires breaking out and escalating in the Dampier State Forest, Deua River Valley, Badja, Bemboka, Wyndham, Talmalolma and Ellerslie, hampering firefighters already stretched by the Currowan, Palerang and Clyde Mountain fires.[26] On 31 December, a grass fire broke out within the sloped woodlands of Prospect Hill (near Greystanes), in Greater Western Sydney, where it was heading north towards Pemulwuy along the Prospect Highway. About 10 hectare size and burning a number of historic Monterey pine trees, the fire became under control by about 9pm.[27]

Due to safety concerns and significant public pressure, New Years Eve fireworks displays were cancelled across New South Wales and the ACT, including highly popular events at Campbelltown, Liverpool, Parramatta, Canberra and across the Northern Beaches.[28][29] The Sydney City fireworks display was allowed to continue with a special exemption from fire authorities.[30] Eleven people are confirmed to have been killed in New South Wales since October. The latest fatalities were reported on 31 December following the deaths of a man and his son in Cobargo. The deaths were reported one day after that of a volunteer firefighter who was trying to contain a blaze near Jingellic. The firefighter was one of three travelling in a firetruck when extreme winds caused their truck to roll off the road.[31][32][22][33][34][35]

A blaze on the NSW South Coast started off at Currowan and travelled up to the coastline after jumping across the Prince’s Highway, threatening properties around Termeil. Residents in Bawley Point, Kioloa, Depot Peach, Pebbly Beach, North Durras and Pretty Beach were told to either evacuate to Batemans Bay or Ulladulla or stay to protect their property. One home was lost. At the Talmalolma fire east of Albury, a firefighter was killed when a tanker was flipped over in what was described as a "tornado" and overrun by fire.[36] Several other firefighters were injured, with one airlifted to Melbourne and two to Sydney.[37]

Queensland

File:Firefighters - NSW Bushfires 2019.jpg
firefighters

On 7 September multiple out of control blazes threatened townships across South Eastern and Northern Queensland, destroying 11 houses Beechmont, 7 houses at Stanthorpe and 1 house at Mareeba.[38]

On Sunday morning, 8 September 2019, the heritage listed lodge and cabins at the iconic Australian nature-based Binna Burra Lodge were destroyed in the bushfire that consumed residential houses in Beechmont the previous day.

On 9 September, a large fire impacted the Peregian Beach area on the Sunshine Coast, severely damaging 10 houses.[39]

On 11 November, a fire started in the Ravensbourne area near Toowoomba, which burnt through over 20,000 ha (49,000 acres) of bush across several days, destroying 6 houses.[40]

On 13 November, a water bombing helicopter crashed while fighting the blazes threatening the small community of Pechey. While the Bell 214 helicopter was completely destroyed, the pilot walked away with minor injuries.[41]

In December 2019, Perigian Springs and the surrounding areas came under threat by bushfires for the second time in a couple of months. No homes were confirmed lost in this bushfire

South Australia

On 11 November, the ABC reported that an emergency bushfire warning was issued for people in Port Lincoln in the Lower Eyre Peninsula, with an uncontrolled fire traveling towards the township.

The South Australian Country Fire Service ordered eight water bombers to the area to assist 26 grounds crews at the scene. SA Power Networks disconnected power to some parts of the township.[42]

A large fire broke out on Yorke Peninsula on 20 November 2019. It threatened the towns of Yorketown and Edithburgh.[43] It destroyed at least 11 homes and was believed to have started from a sparking electrical transformer.[44] It burnt about 5000 hectares of land. A Boeing 737 water bombing aircraft from New South Wales was used to protect the town of Edithburgh in addition to South Australian Air Tractor AT-802s.[45]

A fire broke out at Cudlee Creek in the Mount Lofty Ranges on 20 December.[46] Initial South Easterly winds put the towns of Lobethal and Lenswood in the line of the fire, and by the next morning winds had changed to North-North West, threatening other towns. [47] On the first day the fires killed one person.[2] More than 70 houses were destroyed, as well as over 400 outbuildings and 200 cars. [48] Fires are still burning and the yearly Christmas celebrations at Lobethal were cancelled.[49]

Tasmania

In late October four bushfires were burning near Scamander, Elderslie and Lachlan. Emergency Warnings were issued at Lulworth, Bothwell and Lachlan. A large fire near Swansea also burnt over 4000 hectares which issued a watch and act warning. Lighting strikes have since started multiple fires in Southwest Tasmania [50][51]

Victoria

On 21 November, lightning strikes ignited a series of fires in East Gippsland, initially endangering the communities of Buchan, Buchan South and Sunny Point.[52] On the night of 20 December, the Marthavale-Barmouth Spur expanded, greatly endangering the community of Tambo Crossing.

The first day of two day tour match, to be held between Victoria XI and New Zealand in Melbourne, was called off due to extreme heat conditions.[53]

Near Rochester at 1:34pm on 10 December, a fire broke out suddenly, allowing no time for people to evacuate.

On 30 December, there were three active fires in East Gippsland on Sunday with a combined area of more than 130,000ha. An evacuation warning has been issued for the East Gippsland town of Goonergah, which is surrounded by high-value old growth forests.

Fires reached the town of Mallacoota by around 9:00 AEDT. As of 11:00 AEDT 31 December 2019, fires began to approach the vacation town of Lakes Entrance, and over 4,000 people have been evacuated from the town of Mallacoota.[54] Despite an evacuation of the region being ordered, approximately 30,000 tourists either ignored or refused instructions to leave East Gippsland, with 4,000 tourists becoming trapped in Mallacoota as the fire began making its closest approach to the town.[55] Four people have gone missing in the Victorian fires so far.

Western Australia

Two bushfires were burning in Geraldton on 13 November, damaging homes and small structures.[56][57]

A fire broke out in Yanchep at 2:11 pm on 11 December, immediately triggering an emergency warning for Yanchep and Two Rocks. Ultimately the fire led to a service station exploding.[58] On 12 December, temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius exacerbated the fire, and the emergency warning area doubled include parts of Guilderton and Brenton Bay further north.[59][60] On 13 December, more hot temperatures increased the size of the fire to in excess of 5000 hectares, with the fire front over 1.5 kilometres in length. As of 13 December 2019, the emergency warning area stretched from Yanchep north to Lancelin over 40km away.[61]

Overview

State Deaths Homes Lost Area (h)
New South Wales 11 911 3,600,000
Queensland 0 38 250,000
South Australia 2 86 60,000
Tasmania 0 1 9,500
Victoria 4 (missing) 81 470,000
Western Australia 0 1 1,200,000
TOTAL 13–17 1,118 5,393,000+

International response

Fire fighters from New Zealand, the United States and Canada helped fight the fires, especially in New South Wales. Three deployments for a total of 68 Canadian support personnel were sent through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.[62] Over 50 New Zealanders were deployed to Australia in both direct fire fighting and support roles.[63] It was the first time that Canadian and United States personnel had been deployed to Australia, but Australian firefighters had provided support to Canada and US for two decades.[64]

Swedish climate activist and Time Person of the Year, Greta Thunberg, criticised what is seen by many to be apathy towards the situation on Twitter: "Not even catastrophes like these seem to bring any political action. How is this possible? Because we still fail to make the connection between the climate crisis and increased extreme weather events and nature disasters like the #AustraliaFires. That's what has to change. Now."[65][66]

Domestic political response

The political ramifications of this fire season have been significant. Decisions made by the New South Wales Government, led by Gladys Berejiklian, to cut funding to fire services despite the repeated warnings of fire chiefs that the fire season would be one of the worst to date, were initially criticised.[67] However, these reports were found out to be overblown and mostly falsified.[68]

Further controversy surrounded a Hawaiian holiday taken by Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the same time that two volunteer firefighters died fighting a blaze South West of Sydney, resulting in accusations of apathy.[69] These criticisms were exacerbated when just one week later, the New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services David Elliot left the country to go on a holiday to Europe.[70] Both incidents resulted in major controversy regarding the leadership of both the State and Federal Liberal Governments.[71]

See also

References

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