According to a new report, the horrific Australian Bushfires from 2019-2020 are likely to repeat and be even more devastating than last time. And considering that this was one of the worst bushfires in recorded history, Australia should be concerned.
The report went on to cite that the 2019-2020 fire season was extremely impactful. The extreme blazes across the country were unprecedented and unusual. Nevertheless, the report believes that these types of events will become more prominent.
Even going as afar to say, that much worse is still possible.
Climate Change Was a Factor in Australian Bushfires
The report makes it clear that climate change played a role in these extreme fires, but it was not alone.
During the fire season (September to March), 89 fire-generated storms occurred. This is 50% higher than the previous year (2018-2019), which is very unusual.
A fire-generated storm is a dangerous phenomenon where the heat from the fires rises and creates an updraft that results in the creation of stormclouds that produce dry lightning. The dry lightning then can strike the ground and create even more fire.
This is one reason why the fire was able to spread so far and fast.
The other being that the rising temperatures are making the plants and land dryer, which makes it easy for the smallest spark to produce fire. Combine that with dry lightning strikes, and you have a serious recipe for destruction.
Improvements Are Being Made
The report acknowledges that improvements to firefighting need to be made.
One such suggestion is coming up with a sensor system to make it easier to detect bushfires around the country. This will help the first responders take quick action.
Another improvement that can be made is from the aerial support. The report indicated that it was troublesome in the 2019-2020 season to do this, but calls for testing to send out aerial support before ground crews arise and conducting them at night.
