Bushfires

What is a bushfire? Bushfires and grassfires are common throughout Australia. Grassfires are fast moving, passing in five to ten seconds and smouldering for minutes. They have a low to medium intensity and primarily damage crops, livestock and farming infrastructure, such as fences. Bushfires are generally slower moving, but have a higher heat output. This means they pass in two to five minutes, but they can smoulder for days. Fire in the crown of the tree canopy can move rapidly. Causes Fires in cars and trucks after road accidents Careless people who, for example, drop their cigarette butts or let sparks and fire escape from their campfires Arson: fires deliberately set in the bush by people (these people are known as arsonists) Lightning strikes set fire to grass and trees Burning-off fires that get out of control Effects of Bushfires Fires rage through the Australian bushland, sometimes creeping into urban areas, damaging the environment, stunting the economy and creating social distress. The intensity of the bushfire dictates the effect on the environment. Severe bushfires may burn all the vegetation in a particular area, while more moderate fires will, generally, cause less damage to the natural surroundings. The most obvious result of fire is the loss of plant and animal life. When an area is burned out, vegetation is destroyed as it was used by the fire as fuel. In addition, animals are killed in bushfires by high temperatures and suffocation. Due to the frequency of bushfires, some species have developed defence mechanisms to combat the flames. Thick bark and protected shoots and tissue allow plants to regenerate after a fire. Mobile animals, such as birds, kangaroos or wallabies, are able to flee flame-stricken areas. Echidnas and wombats may escape fire by seeking shelter in burrows or logs. Reptiles and amphibians also look to find refuge underground as the fire passes above. Possums and other arboreal mammals (animals that live in trees) scamper up to the crowns of trees to evade peril.