CGP Wildfires

• Wildfires

  Fires that burn uncontrolled in wild or rural areas
• Wildfires

  • Normally occur during hot, dry periods
  • Can be low or high intensity
  • Escape the top layer of vegetation
  • Thick undergrowth and dead trees allow fire to travel easily
  • Dry vegetation contains a lot of oil and so burn very easily
  • Dry, windy conditions help the fire to spread quickly
  • Vegetation that loves a constant cover will help the fire burn for longer and spread
  • Lack of efficient vegetation growth means there is plenty of fuel
  • Occur during the dry season when rainfall is low for a significant time
  • Dry weather causes water in the vegetation to dry up making it more flammable
  • Strong winds provide more oxygen to help the fire burn and spread burning embers
• Wildfire behaviour


  1. Creeping fire moves across the ground surface fairly slowly

  2. Running fire spreads rapidly and is more intense

  3. Spotfires can throw burning debris and embers that help the fire spread and become more intense
• Causes of wildfires

  • Natural causes (e.g. lightning, volcanic activity)
  • Human causes (e.g. accidental, arson)
• Impacts of wildfires

  • Primary impacts (e.g. houses burning down)
  • Secondary impacts (e.g. people having to move, loss of jobs and income)
  • People may be injured or killed if they don't evacuate in time
  • Homes and businesses destroyed, leaving people homeless
  • Power lines and water sources damaged, leaving people without electricity or clean water
  • Health problems from smoke inhalation
  • Businesses disrupted, leading to loss of jobs and income
  • Insurance premiums increase dramatically after a wildfire
  • High cost of fighting wildfires
  • Wildfires can discourage tourists, reducing income
• Environmental impacts of wildfires

  • Habitats destroyed, some species may not return
  • Soils damaged as fire removes organic matter
  • Smoke causes air pollution, water sources contaminated
  • Some ecosystems rely on wildfires to clear dead vegetation and germinate plant seeds
• Political impacts of wildfires

  • Governments can face criticism when wildfires have severe impacts
  • Governments may have to change forest management practices to reduce wildfire risk
• Short-term responses to wildfires

  1. Trying to put the fire out

  2. Evacuating people

  3. Spraying water at the roots of houses to prevent them from catching alight
• Long-term responses to wildfires

  1. Prevention (e.g. public education, providing fire breaks)

  2. Preparedness (e.g. households having emergency supplies, authorities making emergency shelters)

  3. Adaptation (e.g. using fire-resistant building materials, creating fire breaks)
• In February 2009, severe wildfires burned for a month in the state of Victoria in south-east Australia
• Conditions that contributed to the 2009 Australian wildfires

  • 10 years of drought
  • Recent temperatures over 40°C
  • Strong winds
  • Lack of controlled burning of forest litter
• Wildfires hit south-east Australia


  February 2009
• Wildfires


  • Burned for a month in the state of Victoria
  • Occurred in forested areas
• Environmental conditions


  • Followed 10 years of drought
  • Recent temperatures over 40°C
  • Strong winds
• Lack of management


  • No controlled burning of forest litter
  • Large amount of very dry oil-rich material to fuel the fire
  • Several fires caused by faulty power lines
• Responses to the wildfires


  1. Australian Bureau of Meteorology predicted fire spread and told residents to evacuate or stay and defend

  2. More than 20,000 firefighters and volunteers helped put out fires and support victims

  3. More than AUS $400 million donated to help rebuild houses and community facilities

  4. Recommendations for long-term responses include building fire shelters, improving warning systems and evacuation strategy