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2020–21 Australian bushfire season

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2020–21 Australian bushfire season
Date(s)August 2020 – June 2021
LocationAustralia
Impacts
Deaths0
Structures destroyed88[1][2][3][4][5]

The 2020–21 Australian bushfire season was the season of summer bushfires in Australia. Following the devastating 2019–20 bushfires in Australia, authorities were urged to prepare early for the 2020–21 Australian bushfire season.[6] The bushfire outlook for July to September 2020 was predicting a normal fire potential in Queensland with a good grass growth in many areas giving an increased risk of grass fires, an above normal season in the Kimberley region of Western Australia as a result of good rains from tropical cyclones, a normal but earlier season in the Northern Territory, an above normal season on the south coast of New South Wales and normal seasons elsewhere.[7][8]

Fires by state or territory

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New South Wales

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In mid-August 2020, a bushfire starting from a burn off quickly got out of control in grassy vegetation in the Duranbah region. The fire burned out around 180 ha (440 acres) of grass and swampland. It threatened the small community of Duranbah near the Queensland and New South Wales border.[9]

On 10 October 2020, a bushfire began in the Royal National Park near Waterfall on Kangaroo Ridge, south of Sydney. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) believes this started due to a spot fire from a hazard reduction burn on the other side of the Princes Highway. The fire severely disrupted highway and railway traffic as both were halted that afternoon. As of 11 October, it was burning out of control in a north-easterly direction and was 286 ha (710 acres) in size. The railway was open and the highway operated at reduced speeds.[10][11] The 'Marie Bashir', the NSWRFS's Boeing 737 Large Air Tanker water bombing aircraft was used to fight it on 10 and 11 October, the first time the aircraft was used this fire season.[10][12]

On 23 November 2020, a bushfire flared to Watch and Act Level at Glenugie south of Grafton due to a short-lived heatwave which soared temperatures on the North and Far North Coastlines. It crossed the Pacific Highway and caused numerous spot fires adjacent to the Highway.[13]

On 28 November 2020, severe fire danger warnings were in place for the Far North Coast, North Coast, Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney Region and North Western region. There was a very high fire danger for Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Central Ranges, New England and Northern Slopes. Total fire bans were in place in all those localities.[14]

On 29 November 2020, three fires flared to Watch and Act level as a result of a heatwave of up to 40 °C (104 °F), and 90 km/h (56 mph) winds that had been wreaking havoc since 28 November. The first fire began in the suburb of Northmead, threatening homes there. Multiple RFS crews went to the area, and helicopters scooped water from the Parramatta River to douse flames. One home was fire damaged. By 3pm the fire was under control.[15]

The second fire broke out in Faulconbridge, a suburb of the Blue Mountains,[14] and quickly spread by 3 ha (7.4 acres).

The third fire broke out near Kenthurst in Sydney's Northwest.[14]

Northern Territory

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Sixteen fires during the dry season in the Northern Territory followed two record-breaking dry wet seasons meaning that vegetation was drying faster and earlier. The presence of gamba grass, introduced in the 1930s, in the savannah is also problematic with the grass being more combustible than native species.[16]

Queensland (Fraser Island)

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NASA satellite imagery on 14 November 2020 showing bushfires on Fraser Island

A large bushfire was started on 14 October 2020 by an illegal campfire within the Duling Camp Zone of Eastern Beach on Fraser Island.[17] It impacted multiple communities and caused people to flee their homes as it burned out of control.[18]

In early December interstate assistance, including from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service who provided a Boeing 737-300 Large Air Tanker waterbombing aircraft, was used to fight the fire as Happy Valley township was threatened. Early in the morning (3:35am) the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) issued an emergency warning in which residents were advised to "leave immediately".[19] High temperatures of 32 °C (90 °F), and strong winds hindered fire fighting and QFES Director Brian Cox said "A lot of this fire is burning in inaccessible country …".[19]

Heavy rainfall in mid-December helped contain the fire and the QFES was able to hand control back to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).[20] This was the longest burning fire this fire season up to 14 December 2020 as it had been burning since October, over two months, and as of that date, more than half the island had been "blackened" by fire. The fire was still burning, but the island was safe for visitors though some walking trails and areas were still restricted for safety. The island reopened on 15 December.[21]

The area burnt by the fire was estimated at 87,000 hectares (210,000 acres).[17] It is expected that the burned areas will successfully regenerate.[22]

Four men, aged 21 to 24, were charged over the bushfire and on 21 January 2021 at Hervey Bay Magistrates Court two of the four pled guilty to one count each of "unlawfully lighting a fire and leaving a fire unattended", were fined A$667 on each offence, and did not have a conviction recorded. The other two were charged with "unlawfully lighting a fire" but had their cases adjourned to 11 February. A 17-year-old minor was allegedly involved, but not charged and is instead being dealt with through the Youth Justice Act due to his age.[17]

South Australia

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On 10 November, a series of Bushfires took place due to hot and windy conditions contributing to Severe Thunderstorms mainly in the Yorke Peninsula. As of 11:20 pm ACDT there were 63 power outages affecting over 23,000 customers and over 100 incidents the South Australian Country Fire Service had attended throughout the day. This comes after the first Total Fire Bans were issued for South Australia for the first time in the 2020–21 Australian bushfire season.[23]

At 12:48 pm ACDT on 27 November, the South Australian Country Fire Service responded to a grass fire at Templers in the State's Mid North. Shortly after arriving the CFS declared an Emergency Warning and ordered people around Templers, Freeling, Lyndoch and Roseworthy to evacuate. Just after 3pm the fire was declared contained.[24]

At 12:37 pm ACDT on 11 January, an out-of-control bushfire raged in the Lower South East of South Australia near the township of Lucindale. As of 2:36 pm 12 January over 14,000 ha of grass and scrub was burnt. After having over 200 firefighters working around the clock, the fire threat has reduced and contained with help from the Victorian Country Fire Authority.[25]

At 4:15 pm ACDT on 24 January, a bushfire took hold at Cherry Gardens under Extreme weather conditions, located in the Adelaide Hills. At 4:36pm the first Emergency Warning was issued for people living on Hicks Hill Road, Orchard Road, Lewis Street and Prith Road, soon towns were being notified to evacuate as the fire raged out-of-control towards homes that would pose a threat to lives in its path. As of 7:15pm on 25 January the fire was declared Contained after heavy rain improved the firefighting conditions. Four months later a 61-year-old man was charged with starting the fires.[26]

Cherry Gardens Fire on 24 January

Western Australia

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A Bushfire Emergency Warning was declared for the City of Swan on 24 December with 5 ha (12 acres) of land being burnt.[27]

A bushfire started burning on 2 January in areas to the north of Perth. By 5 January, a total area of 2,000 ha (4,900 acres) of bushland had been burned out and properties threatened in Gingin and Dandaragan with residents of Ocean Farms Estate being ordered to evacuate and farmers east of Lancelin also encouraged to leave.[28] By 7 January, 10,000 ha (25,000 acres) of land over the Gingin and Dandaragan shires had been burned with 200 fire fighters combating the blaze.[29]

A Lockheed C-130H engaged in fighting the Kwinana bushfire

On 3 January a dangerous bushfire began in Postans and quickly spread through bushland in The Spectacles, Hope Valley and Kwinana Beach, putting industrial buildings and the oil refinery at risk, as well as Perth Motorplex. Strong winds made the fire hard to control, but it was downgraded to a watch and act on 4 January.[30]

A bushfire in High Wycombe, a suburb in the east of Perth, on 15 January and burned through about 4 ha (9.9 acres) of bushland requiring some 75 firefighters to contain it.[31] Another fire was also burning in York on 15 January resulting in the loss of one home and shed on a hobby farm near the Great Southern Highway.[1]

Another fire started burning on 16 January in a nature reserve[32] in the suburb of Oakford in Perth's southern suburbs resulting in the closure of Kwinana Freeway between Mortimer and Anketell Roads and the loss of one house. Approximately 150 fire fighters and 50 vehicles along with aerial bombers were required to combat the blaze.[2] Over 100 ha (250 acres) of bushland was burned out.[32]

On 1 February 2021, the 2021 Wooroloo bushfire started at Werribee Road, Wooroloo.[33] Over 500 fire fighters and 90 fire trucks were required to battle the fire and spread to parts of Wundowie, Gidgegannup and Chidlow. More than three houses, outbuildings and two fire trucks were destroyed.[3] The fire remained uncontrollable overnight, and reached ground just east of The Vines by mid morning on the following day, by that stage it had a 60 km perimeter and was 7000 hectares in size.[34] At lunch time on 3 February it was confirmed that 71 houses had been lost, with areas of Bullsbrook and Shady hills in Perth's north advised to evacuate due to predicted wind changes combined with steep terrain that is inaccessible to vehicles.[35][36] By 6 February it had destroyed at least 86 houses and 2 fire trucks[5] and burned out an area of over 10,500 ha (26,000 acres).[37]

On 5 February, two new bushfires in the South West were ignited, one near Injidup and the other near Yallingup, with one thought to have been deliberately lit. 100 firefighters were needed to control the fires which were 11 km (6.8 mi) apart, with the Yallingup fire coming close to Ngilgi Cave.[38]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bushfire East of Perth in Shire of York Destroys One Home". news.com.au. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b Claire Ottaviano (16 January 2021). "Kwinana Freeway closed as out of control bushfire rages on in Perth's south". The West Australian. Seven West Media. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Out of control Wooroloo bushfire sparks emergency warning to residents to take immediate action". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Number of homes lost in Perth Hills bushfire revised up to 71". ABC News. 2 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b Medlen, Pamela; Searson, Amelia (4 February 2021). "Perth Hills bushfire emergency warning zone shrinks as number of homes lost reaches 86". ABC News. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Wildfires - Fire expert urges Australian government to "prepare now for 2021"". Imperial College. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: July 2020". Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Above-average fire threat forecast for bushfire-ravaged parts of South-East NSW". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Fast-moving fire in north-east NSW marks first big blaze of the season". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  10. ^ a b Savage, Desiree (11 October 2020). "Bushfire in the Royal National Park near Heathcote continues for a second day". Illawarra Mercury. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Major Fire Update Details". www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  12. ^ Trembath, Murray (10 October 2020). "Updated | Large air tanker called in to Waterfall bushfire". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  13. ^ Potter, Jarrard (23 November 2021). "BREAKING: Glenugie bushfire at Watch and Act alert level". Coffs Coast Advocate. North Coast News Pty ltd. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  14. ^ a b c Lathouris, Olivana (29 November 2020). "Firefighters on top of bush blazes after day of heat, winds". www.9news.com.au. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Home burnt by bushfire amid 40C heatwave and 90km/h winds". au.news.yahoo.com. Australian Associated Press. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  16. ^ Laetitia Lemke (18 June 2020). "Two dry wet seasons spark early start to NT's grass fires, leaving experts worried". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  17. ^ a b c Crockford, Toby (21 January 2021). "Two of four charged over Fraser Island bushfire plead guilty, fined". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  18. ^ Binnie, Kerrin; and, Staff (14 November 2020). "Fraser Island bushfire closing in on township after blaze started by illegal campfire". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  19. ^ a b Stewart, Jessica; and, Staff (7 December 2020). "Fraser Island residents told to 'leave immediately' as bushfire threatens town and interstate resources join firefighting effort". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 February 2021. Strong winds and temperatures of up to 32 degrees Celsius are predicted on Fraser Island again today as a heatwave continues to scorch parts of Queensland. – ABC News
  20. ^ Van Vonderen, Jessica; and, Staff (13 December 2020). "South-east Queensland braces for flooding after wet weekend". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  21. ^ Hegarty, Nicole (14 December 2020). "K'gari-Fraser Island to reopen as weekend rain contains bushfire that has burned since October". ABC Wide Bay. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  22. ^ Gramenz, Emilie (3 December 2020). "Fraser Island bush will regenerate despite fire scorching half of World Heritage-listed site, scientists say". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  23. ^ Ben Brennan, Andrew Hough, Dixie Sulda and Patrick James. "Wild weather across South Australia sparked 146 fires which have been contained". The Advertiser. Retrieved 12 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Inga Neilsen (27 November 2020). "Emergency bushfire warning near Adelaide". 9News. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  25. ^ Kathryn Bermingham and Emily Cosenza (12 January 2021). "Bushfire at Lucindale, Avenue Range, Woolumbool and Stewart Range downgraded to advice message". PerthNow. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  26. ^ "Man charged with starting Adelaide Hills bushfire that destroyed two homes". ABC News. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  27. ^ "Bushfire Emergency Warning in the City of Swan". Perth Now. 24 December 2020.
  28. ^ Sarah Steger (4 January 2021). "Perth bushfires 2021: Residents flee out-of-control fire burning in Gingin and Dandaragan areas". PerthNow. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  29. ^ "Harsh weather in coming days expected to worsen WA fire conditions". 9 News. Nine Network. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  30. ^ Tabarak Al Jrood (4 January 2021). "Kwinana bushfire in Perth enters second day with warning over dangerous fire weather". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  31. ^ "Fire threatening lives and homes in Daliak in Shire of York now contained". PerthNow. West Australian Newspapers. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Emergency bushfire warning issued for residents in Perth's south, properties under threat". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 16 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  33. ^ "Bushfire in Perth Hills - Wooroloo at emergency level". ABC News. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  34. ^ "Perth bushfire may have claimed 10 homes Mayor says". ABC News. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  35. ^ "Perth bushfire news: DFES Commissioner warns more homes will likely be confirmed lost in coming days — as it happened". ABC News. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Perth Hills bushfire conditions set to worsen as number of homes lost revised up to 71". ABC News. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  37. ^ "WA homes destroyed by Wooroloo bushfire rises to 86 as second 'suspicious' blaze controlled". Nine Digital Pty Ltd. 6 February 2021.
  38. ^ Brianna Dugan, Phil Hickey and Miriam Fisher (6 February 2021). "Out-of-control bushfire sweeping towards South West homes". The West Australian. Seven West Media. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
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