As the death toll of California’s wildfires increases to five, Australian bushfire experts are warning that our own fire season could lengthen to become a “fire year” as a result of extreme weather trends.
Tens of thousands of residents in Los Angeles County have been forced to evacuate the region as at least three wildfires tore through more than 1,000 buildings. The fires come in the middle of winter for the US, following the state’s hottest summer on record, with researchers telling Yahoo News we could “absolutely” see similar disasters here in Australia.
Andrew Gissing, CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia, told Yahoo News the longer fire seasons are a product of climate change, which will only continue to worsen.
“In California as well as in Australia, we’re seeing longer fire seasons and we’re also seeing the severity of fire days and the frequency of bad fire days increase, which overall means there is a greater fire risk now but also in the future,” Mr Gissing said.
Fire danger still present in winter
Gissing referred to the Black Summer fires of 2019-20, where the first fire was recorded in northwest NSW in August — one of the state’s coldest months.
“It’s not unprecedented for Australia either to have destructive fires in winter months. We would expect those trends to continue due to climate change because we see worsening numbers of fire days, lengthening fire seasons, more extreme heat, more extreme drought… And that all combining to meaning worsening fire risk.”
Gissing said the extension of fire seasons will cause an “overlapping” of fire seasons between the northern and southern hemispheres, which could make it more difficult for Australia and the US to aid one another during fire emergencies.
Dry, windy conditions to continue to feed LA fires
The National Weather Service says gusty winds and very dry conditions would continue to fuel fires in the Los Angeles area.
Forecasters predicted wind gusts of 56-88km/h, which could rise higher in the mountains and foothills. Meteorologists said Los Angeles and Ventura counties would have weather conducive to fire through Friday, meaning low relative humidity, strong winds, unstable air and drought.
But winds have dissipated enough for aircraft to assist in fighting the fires, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustine said.
The Palisades Fire burns homes on the Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8. Source: Getty
Celebrity homes destroyed by fires
The fires, which have now spread to the Hollywood Hills, have destroyed the homes of several celebrities, including Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore and Paris Hilton.
Crystal and his wife, Janice, released a statement on Wednesday saying their home of 45 years in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood was lost.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this,” the Crystals wrote in the statement.
What you can do to prepare for bushfires:
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Stay aware of your surroundings
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Listen to emergency broadcasts and download apps from your state’s fire authority
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Clear leaves from your lawn and gutter
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Create a bushfire survival plan with your household
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Check on your neighbours
with AP
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