Dire Warning for Australia: Greater Risk from LA’s Deadly Wildfires
As California faces deadly wildfires, experts warn Australia may see similar risks
Los Angeles, Australia, Wildfires, Climate Change, Bushfire
Los Angeles: The wildfires in California are getting serious, with the death toll rising to five. Experts in Australia are sounding the alarm, saying our fire season could stretch into a full “fire year” due to extreme weather changes.
Right now, tens of thousands of folks in Los Angeles County are evacuating as wildfires have destroyed over 1,000 buildings. It’s wild to think this is happening in winter, especially after the hottest summer California has ever seen. Researchers are warning that we might face similar disasters here in Australia.
Andrew Gissing, who leads Natural Hazards Research Australia, shared that climate change is making fire seasons longer and more intense. He mentioned that both California and Australia are experiencing more severe fire days, which means a greater risk now and in the future.
He also pointed out that the Black Summer fires in 2019-20 started in August, one of the coldest months in NSW. It’s not unheard of for Australia to have destructive fires in winter, and with climate change, it seems like this trend will keep going.
Gissing warned that overlapping fire seasons between the northern and southern hemispheres could complicate how Australia and the US help each other during fire emergencies.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service is saying that dry and windy conditions will keep fueling the fires in LA. They’re predicting wind gusts of up to 88 km/h, which could be even stronger in the mountains. The weather isn’t looking good for fire control in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
On a sad note, the fires have reached the Hollywood Hills, destroying homes of several celebrities, including Billy Crystal and Mandy Moore. Crystal and his wife shared their heartbreak over losing their home of 45 years, filled with memories of their family.
As we think about bushfire safety, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, listen to emergency updates, and have a bushfire survival plan ready. Checking on your neighbors is also a good idea.