Ah, Australian summers–long, hot days spent outdoors with friends and family. But one of the critical realities of the season is that, with high temperatures and dry conditions, it's prime bushfire season.

Unfortunately, that reality holds this year too.

Weatherzone meteorologist Ashleigh Lange recently said that according to most forecast models, we're moving closer to an El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) combo, which could bring abnormally warm and dry weather to our country.

‘If these climate drivers develop, they will promote abnormally warm and dry weather in Australia, which is likely to increase the risk of fires,’ Lange explains.

However, this year could be different.

Australian rainfall deciles from Aug 2020 to July 2023. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology

Historically, Australia's worst bushfire seasons have coincided with years of severe drought, and that's why it's fortunate that over the past three years, we've been experiencing La Niña, resulting in above-average rainfall across the country. Some areas in New South Wales recording their highest ever levels according to the Bureau of Meteorology, for example.

What's more, the abundance of rain has been accompanied by some stunning changes in Australia's landscape; as you can see in the maps below, the continent has significantly more green vegetation than it did in 2019 during the Black Summer bushfire season.

Total Vegetation Cover in July 2019 versus July 2023. Credit: CSIRO / RaPP

But why is this good news?

Well, the increased store of green vegetation and higher soil moisture across the country should help to offset the influence of the warm and dry weather we usually expect this time of year, according to Lange.

‘While some parts of Australia may see an active fire season this spring and summer, it is unlikely to match the severity of the 2019-20 Black Summer,’ she adds.

Key Takeaways

• Forecast models predict El Niño and a positive IOD for the second half of 2023, increasing the risk of fires.
  
• Australia has just experienced three consecutive La Niña events between 2020 and 2023, bringing above-average rainfall to most of the country.
  
• This increased rainfall has resulted in more green vegetation and higher soil moisture, beneficial conditions that may ease the severity of the upcoming fire season.
  
• According to Weatherzone meteorologist Ashleigh Lange, while parts of Australia may see an active fire season, it's unlikely to match the severity of the 2019-2020 Black Summer fire season.
  

However, while the effects of the past years’ rainfall is undoubtedly encouraging, it's essential we do our bit in minimising our risk of bushfires too. That's why we've compiled a few need-to-knows to help you and your community stay safe this summer–from being aware of fire dangers in your area to knowing where to turn in an emergency:

• Abide by your local fire warning alerts
• Arrange a specific place to meet in the event of a bushfire
• Practice an evacuation plan with your family or friends before an emergency occurs
• Ensure you know how your local fire service works to know who to call in an emergency

You may also refer to this document prepared by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. It contains prevention strategies that could help you and your family in the event of a bushfire.

What do you think about this story, dear members? Do you have additional bushfire prevention tips? Share them in the comments!

 

[Suzanne rose]

I actually heard because of all the lush landscape that it will be worst for bushfire.
They are saying under all the greenery it us already very dry.

I've heard a few times now that we are in for a very hot and dry summer

 

[Leenie]

All governments need to keep the undergrowth down with spot fires and not let it build up as they have done for years. At the moment qld is doing a burn on Fraser Island.

 

[KayPlay]

Ah, Australian summers–long, hot days spent outdoors with friends and family. But one of the critical realities of the season is that, with high temperatures and dry conditions, it's prime bushfire season.

Unfortunately, that reality holds this year too.

Weatherzone meteorologist Ashleigh Lange recently said that according to most forecast models, we're moving closer to an El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) combo, which could bring abnormally warm and dry weather to our country.

‘If these climate drivers develop, they will promote abnormally warm and dry weather in Australia, which is likely to increase the risk of fires,’ Lange explains.

However, this year could be different.

View attachment 27216

Australian rainfall deciles from Aug 2020 to July 2023. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology

Historically, Australia's worst bushfire seasons have coincided with years of severe drought, and that's why it's fortunate that over the past three years, we've been experiencing La Niña, resulting in above-average rainfall across the country. Some areas in New South Wales recording their highest ever levels according to the Bureau of Meteorology, for example.

What's more, the abundance of rain has been accompanied by some stunning changes in Australia's landscape; as you can see in the maps below, the continent has significantly more green vegetation than it did in 2019 during the Black Summer bushfire season.

View attachment 27220

Total Vegetation Cover in July 2019 versus July 2023. Credit: CSIRO / RaPP

But why is this good news?

Well, the increased store of green vegetation and higher soil moisture across the country should help to offset the influence of the warm and dry weather we usually expect this time of year, according to Lange.

‘While some parts of Australia may see an active fire season this spring and summer, it is unlikely to match the severity of the 2019-20 Black Summer,’ she adds.

Key Takeaways

• Forecast models predict El Niño and a positive IOD for the second half of 2023, increasing the risk of fires.
• Australia has just experienced three consecutive La Niña events between 2020 and 2023, bringing above-average rainfall to most of the country.
• This increased rainfall has resulted in more green vegetation and higher soil moisture, beneficial conditions that may ease the severity of the upcoming fire season.
• According to Weatherzone meteorologist Ashleigh Lange, while parts of Australia may see an active fire season, it's unlikely to match the severity of the 2019-2020 Black Summer fire season.

However, while the effects of the past years’ rainfall is undoubtedly encouraging, it's essential we do our bit in minimising our risk of bushfires too. That's why we've compiled a few need-to-knows to help you and your community stay safe this summer–from being aware of fire dangers in your area to knowing where to turn in an emergency:

• Abide by your local fire warning alerts
• Arrange a specific place to meet in the event of a bushfire
• Practice an evacuation plan with your family or friends before an emergency occurs
• Ensure you know how your local fire service works to know who to call in an emergency

You may also refer to this document prepared by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. It contains prevention strategies that could help you and your family in the event of a bushfire.

What do you think about this story, dear members? Do you have additional bushfire prevention tips? Share them in the comments!

All governments need to keep the undergrowth down with spot fires and not let it build up as they have done for years. At the moment qld is doing a burn on Fraser Island.

Completely Agree Leenie:

 

[Jest]

Ah, Australian summers–long, hot days spent outdoors with friends and family. But one of the critical realities of the season is that, with high temperatures and dry conditions, it's prime bushfire season.

Unfortunately, that reality holds this year too.

Weatherzone meteorologist Ashleigh Lange recently said that according to most forecast models, we're moving closer to an El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) combo, which could bring abnormally warm and dry weather to our country.

‘If these climate drivers develop, they will promote abnormally warm and dry weather in Australia, which is likely to increase the risk of fires,’ Lange explains.

However, this year could be different.

View attachment 27216

Australian rainfall deciles from Aug 2020 to July 2023. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology

Historically, Australia's worst bushfire seasons have coincided with years of severe drought, and that's why it's fortunate that over the past three years, we've been experiencing La Niña, resulting in above-average rainfall across the country. Some areas in New South Wales recording their highest ever levels according to the Bureau of Meteorology, for example.

What's more, the abundance of rain has been accompanied by some stunning changes in Australia's landscape; as you can see in the maps below, the continent has significantly more green vegetation than it did in 2019 during the Black Summer bushfire season.

View attachment 27220

Total Vegetation Cover in July 2019 versus July 2023. Credit: CSIRO / RaPP

But why is this good news?

Well, the increased store of green vegetation and higher soil moisture across the country should help to offset the influence of the warm and dry weather we usually expect this time of year, according to Lange.

‘While some parts of Australia may see an active fire season this spring and summer, it is unlikely to match the severity of the 2019-20 Black Summer,’ she adds.

Key Takeaways

• Forecast models predict El Niño and a positive IOD for the second half of 2023, increasing the risk of fires.
• Australia has just experienced three consecutive La Niña events between 2020 and 2023, bringing above-average rainfall to most of the country.
• This increased rainfall has resulted in more green vegetation and higher soil moisture, beneficial conditions that may ease the severity of the upcoming fire season.
• According to Weatherzone meteorologist Ashleigh Lange, while parts of Australia may see an active fire season, it's unlikely to match the severity of the 2019-2020 Black Summer fire season.

However, while the effects of the past years’ rainfall is undoubtedly encouraging, it's essential we do our bit in minimising our risk of bushfires too. That's why we've compiled a few need-to-knows to help you and your community stay safe this summer–from being aware of fire dangers in your area to knowing where to turn in an emergency:

• Abide by your local fire warning alerts
• Arrange a specific place to meet in the event of a bushfire
• Practice an evacuation plan with your family or friends before an emergency occurs
• Ensure you know how your local fire service works to know who to call in an emergency

You may also refer to this document prepared by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. It contains prevention strategies that could help you and your family in the event of a bushfire.

What do you think about this story, dear members? Do you have additional bushfire prevention tips? Share them in the comments!

we have had an abundance of rain. Now we have hot weather approaching. is that not called normal. NO now we have this stupid climate rubbish. To all who think that is great, get your ekectricity bills and look closely. Look at the country side around you with all those ugly things staring you oin the face and using valuable land up. Look at the housing shortage due to an influx of poorer people and greedy people. The MP's have not got one brain to share amongst themselves.

 

[SGH]

We cannot get our council (Ipswich) to even consider backburning before the start of bushfire season. Todays temperature is supposed to be 30C, and they are running out of time to carry out any sort of management.

 

[Leenie]

we have had an abundance of rain. Now we have hot weather approaching. is that not called normal. NO now we have this stupid climate rubbish. To all who think that is great, get your ekectricity bills and look closely. Look at the country side around you with all those ugly things staring you oin the face and using valuable land up. Look at the housing shortage due to an influx of poorer people and greedy people. The MP's have not got one brain to share amongst themselves.

When will people wake up to the climate hysteria,it’s all about money and greed. The country is going to be covered in solar panels, sky high wind turbines killing birds etc , and thousands of poles and wires , not a pretty sight our beautiful country will be ruined and broke. We have dickheads in parliament who are useless and wasting tax payers hard earned money on pie in the sky dreams .wake up Australia the climate is always changing ,it’s natural.