As deadly fires wreak havoc in the northern hemisphere, experts and advocates are concerned Australia could face another Black Summer bushfire event.
Major General Peter Dunn, former Commissioner for Emergency Services in the ACT and now a member of the Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, said he felt "extremely apprehensive and very nervous" ahead of Australia's bushfire season.
"Communities need to be really listening to the rural fire services and the fire and rescue services as well, and they need to be getting themselves prepared."He does not believe enough has been done to minimise bushfire risk and says there are three key factors. Hotter conditions can lead to a longer fire season, while high temperatures and dry vegetation can increase the risk of fires.Warmer weather can also increase the likelihood of lightning, which can be a key factor in starting fires.
"We're pretty much all agreed that climate change is driving and that if we don't stop burning fossil fuels, our best efforts may be for nothing," he said.In October 2020, the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements handed down its report including a series of recommendations. "This will be the first significant fire season since Black Summer and we know that there will be a lot of stress in the community, particularly in those areas that were impacted during those devastating months in 2019 and 2020 and those recovering from more recent flood events," the spokesperson said.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How did Suits become America’s most-watched TV show of the summer?The 2010s legal drama has broken records since hitting US Netflix, shining light on viewing patterns in a fragmented television landscape
Read more »
‘My daughter started to run a fever’: Britain’s swimmers on how sewage changed their summerWith pollution at high levels and growing worse, some keen swimmers have stopped going in the sea. Many have felt the impact on their mental health – not to mention the pain and discomfort of E coli
Read more »
‘The kids love the freedom here’ – how we made the perfect Swedish summer houseWith its recycled furniture and pops of colour, this Scandi beach cabin is a lesson in how to make vintage come alive
Read more »
‘A feminist symbol’: how the humble ponytail scored a summer winnerFrom England’s Lionesses to Margot Robbie’s Barbie, the everyday hairstyle has become a symbol of power and confidence
Read more »
Mistrial declared in case of men accused of shooting at Black FedEx driverGrand jury indicted father and son in November 2022 for attempted murder but Mississippi judge says detective made mistakes
Read more »
Talk show TV giant found ‘second home’ in Australia“Parky” was Britain’s most successful chat show host who interviewed the world’s most famous faces including actors, musicians, sportspeople, royalty and politicians.
Read more »