The 2024–25 Australian bushfire season[a] is the current summer season of bushfires in Australia. At the beginning of the season temperatures had been above average to high above average for most regions, with parts of Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland experiencing highest on record maximum temperatures for the winter period. August 2024 overall in Australia was the warmest August on record.[1]
| 2024–25 Australian bushfire season | |
|---|---|
| Date(s) | September 2024 – ongoing |
| Location | Australia |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | unspecified |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Structures destroyed | unspecified |
| Ignition | |
| Cause |
|
In spring, there continued to be an increased likelihood of unusually high maximum temperatures across most of Australia, and increased chance of above average rainfall for much of New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania. Large parts of Western Australia had an increased chance of below average rainfall. Unseasonal rainfall in Queensland and Northern Territory led to increased fuel loads. August also saw above average to well above average rainfall in both southwest Western Australia and Tasmania, easing dry conditions in these regions.[1]
Fire authorities advised that overall main areas of increased risk of bushfire in Australia at the start of the bushfire season were most parts of the Northern Territory, large areas of northern and central Queensland, and also western Victoria as well as parts of southeastern South Australia.[1]
Western Australia
editOn the 8 October a bushfire was reported at Lake Powell Nature Reserve in Albany. It burnt 4.5ha before being brought under control and sparked a bushfire warning for the Elleker township. The cause of the fire was soon found to be arson, making it the fifth bushfire caused by arson in Albany that year.
South Australia
editOn 2 November a grassfire occurred in the northern suburbs of Adelaide which burnt 33ha before being controlled, requiring the use of both fixed wing and rotary wing support. The fire caused damage to sheds and greenhouses in the area, and two men were arrested for arson.[2]
Victoria
editOn 24 December, residents of The Grampians region were evacuated with over 41,000 hectares (101,000 acres) already burnt with Victoria's State Control Centre spokesman Luke Hegarty stating; "We're expecting to see extreme fire danger across almost the entire state".[3]
Notes
edit- ^ Bushfires in Australia can occur all year-round. For what "season" means, see seasonality of bushfires in Australia.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Seasonal Bushfire Outlook Spring 2024". afac.com.au. afac. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Pair to face bushfire-related charges after shed and glasshouses damaged in blaze". ABC News. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ Ritchie, Hannah (24 December 2024). "Australian towns evacuated over Christmas as fires rage". BBC News. Retrieved 24 December 2024.