Hazards CS - Australian Bushfire

Question 1

Date of the bushfire

Answer 1

2019-20

Question 2

Background of the bushfire (where was affected)

Answer 2

• every state and territory in Australia experienced fires
• biggest fires burnt along stretches of the eastern and southern coast
• areas particularly affected:
  > Queensland (at start)
  > New South Wales (just a couple)

Question 3

Causes of the fire

Answer 3

• drought
• dry lightening strikes
• hottest and driest year ever (consistently 41.9 degrees Celsius)

Question 4

Primary effects

Answer 4

• burned more than 42 million acres of land (farm land included)
• 33 deaths
• killed/displaced 3 billion animals

Question 5

Secondary effects

Answer 5

• most costly event in their history ($85billion)
• psychological effects:
  > sleep deprivation (due to sleep)
  > anxiety
  > depression
• health depletion -> lung cancer, breathing difficulties + poor air quality

Question 6

Short term responses

Answer 6

• 2000 firefighters in New South Wales + thousands of volunteers paid by Red Cross
• Australia’s military and navy were involved in rescue
• foreign aid offered by NZ, US and Canada

Question 7

Long term responses

Answer 7

• [political] negative reaction, demanding changes in government
• controlled burning tactics (developed)
• fuel management (rid of fuels in hazardous areas for future prevention