Hazards (wildfires)- South East Australia 2009

Question 1

Background info

Answer 1

-severe wildfires burnt for a month in Victoria
-the worst fires occurred in forested areas
-environmental conditions= 10yrs of drought/ recent temps of 40C/ strong winds
-lack of management= large amount of dry oil-rich vegetation to fuel
-caused by fuel power lines

Question 2

Social impacts

Answer 2

-400 injured
-173 killed
-people suffered from stress
-2000 home destroyed

Question 3

Environmental impacts

Answer 3

-4300km2 land burnt
-many wildlife including birds and reptiles killed

Question 4

Economic impacts

Answer 4

-60 businesses destroyed
-total coast in damage was $4 billio

Question 5

Political impacts

Answer 5

-government criticised for misinformation= false maps were produced/ misinterpreted symbols

Question 6

Short-term responses

Answer 6

-state and federal authorities involved using military assistance
-foreign aid= firefighters from New Zealand, US and Canada
-over 100 aircraft dropped water
-1000s of volunteers aided people including teams from the Red Cross

Question 7

Long-term responses

Answer 7

-a review of building standards in bushfire zones to create resilient homes and larger buffer zones
-calls for traditional fire management techniques used by indigenous communities
-by February 2020 all fires were put out after 5 months