Australia is such a peaceful country that we hear no news about politics, terrorism or anything. But, for many days we have been watching the news about Australian Bush Fire.
More than 20 human beings and half million animals got killed in the bush fire. 1500 homes got brutally burnt. But, this is not the first time. Once in 1851, Australia got affected by bushfire where 800 people lost lives and a million animals got killed.
WHAT IS A BUSHFIRE?
A bushfire is a wildfire that happens in the Australian bush. Bush is the word for scrub, woodland or grassland of Australia and New Zealand. In southeast and southwest of Australia, bushfires are most common in the summer and early autumn.
In the north of Australia, bushfires usually happen during winter which is the dry season. Many Australian plants burn easily. Eucalyptus trees have a high oil content which makes them burn.
Over the last 40 years, Australian bushfires have cost A$2.5 billion. In the same period, Australian bushfires caused the death of around 250 people and the destruction of 4,554 homes. And these figures do not include the 173 people who died and the 2000 homes destroyed in the 2009 Victorian bushfires. They can also kill wildlife including rare koalas.
As an immediate help, Australian Prime Minister Morrison announced 2 Billion dollars for the rescue operations. Our co-ordinates Australia have been saying that, though the bush fire occurred in parts of South West Australia and Victoria regions, the impact of smoke is circulated all over Australia and Newzealand.
Australia is a place that has very less rainfall compared to all the regions in the world. Due to the lack of rain, the grass and trees over there are mostly dried.
So, when a bush fire occurs it can easily circulate in the entire forest region as there is no green grass to retaliate the fire.
REASON FOR BUSH FIRE
Scientists, both those who study fire and those who study climate, say there’s no doubt man-made global warming has been a big part, but not the only part, of the fires.
Last year in Australia was the hottest and driest on record, with the average annual temperature 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above the 1960 to 1990 average, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.
Temperatures in Australia last month hit 121.8 F (49.9 C).
Mike Flannigan, a fire scientist at the University of Alberta in Canada, said Australia’s fires are “an example of climate change.”
WHEN WILL THE BUSH FIRE END?
Unfortunately, Australia is only just entering its summer season. Normally, temperatures peak in January and February, meaning the country could be months away from finding relief.
The fires are unlikely to end entirely since they are an annually occurring event — and may even get worse in recent years are a guide.
PRAY FOR AUSTRALIA
