Another bushfire season has come to an end in fire-prone south-eastern Australia.
While most people are trying to stay warm during winter, our firefighters usually look forward to a well-earned rest.
However, this year it could not be further from the truth.
With the climate changing in a way that bushfires have become more frequent and dangerous, the out-of-season work on hazard reduction has become even more critical.
Once the fire season is over, we need to begin planning our hazard reduction burns or prescribed burning program.
But with the effects of climate change, warming temperatures and more extreme weather events, fires are beginning earlier in the season and running later.
The major fire event that occurred to the south of Sydney on April 14 is a stark reminder that the climate is changing and not for the good when it comes to bushfires.
I was in the city at the top of a building that Saturday night, attending my daughter’s 21st. As I stood and watched the fire burn, all I could think of was “it’s April, this shouldn’t be happening.”
It frightens me that homes were threatened and people evacuated well after the normal bushfire season was over.
This extended season reduces our opportunity to plan and conduct the burns and effectively reduce risk.
The window of opportunity is being squeezed, as it is too dangerous to burn when the weather is too hot and fires won’t burn well when it’s too cool.
Another major impact is that our firefighters are not getting the well-earned rest they deserve.
This is the time to reconnect with our families, catch up on work, service trucks and equipment, as well as debriefing, training and planning for the next season.
If all our down time is occupied, then our capability will be reduced and the need to recruit more firefighters will become critical. With long-term climate trends becoming more frequent, this kind of severe and expensive fire season is set to become the norm.
Both government and individuals must begin to change our country’s behaviour and do everything possible to reduce the significant impacts of climate change.
Failure to do so will likely see a future in which the public must adapt and plan for a more intense and prolonged bushfire season.
