2017–18 Australian bushfire season

2017–18 Australian bushfire season
The bushfire season of the summer of 2017–18, was expected to have above normal bushfire risks with an elevated fire risk for the most of eastern and south Australian coastal areas. Australia had experienced its warmest winter on record and the ninth driest winter on record leaving dry fuel loads across much of southern Australia. Expected warmer weather over the summer period would also increase the risk. Bushfires were also expected to occur earlier, before the end of winter, as a result of the warm and dry winter.
Both Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales experienced the wettest October since 1975 leading to a downgrade in bushfire risk.
Fires by state or territory
New South Wales
September
Two homes were lost in Comboyne in a fire that was battled by 100 fire fighters and 30 units. A shed a vehicle were also lost in a fire near Kempsey.
Sydney had its hottest September day on record with a temperature of on 12 September and the first total fire ban for the season was issued. Fires broke out in the Hunter Valley quickly engulfing , with 75 other fires burning around the state.
March
On 18 March, a bushfire that began in Reedy Swamp spread east to the town of Tathra, on the NSW South Coast. Around 150 firefighters worked to control the blaze, which destroyed or damaged approximately 70 homes. 300 people spent the night at an evacuation centre at the Bega Showgrounds, and by midday on 19 March, in excess of of land was burnt. Around midday on 19 March, there was still no public access to Tathra, and four local schools were closed due to the impact on staff and students. By the afternoon of the same day, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service confirmed that 69 homes and buildings, and an additional 30 caravans and cabins were destroyed, 39 buildings were damaged and 398 homes were saved. The RFS estimated the total number of buildings destroyed was 'seventy-plus'. It is understood that the fire was caused by a failure in electrical infrastructure.
April
Due to strong westerly winds and unseasonably warm weather, a bushfire, described as "ferocious", began in southwestern Sydney on 15 April, in Glenfield, where it eventually spread to Casula, Moorebank, Holsworthy, New South Wales, Wattle Grove and Menai, and towards the southeast, with Heathcote Road eventually being closed. Over 500 firefighters and 15 aircraft worked to fight the blaze. Inhabitants in Holsworthy, Voyager Point, Pleasure Point and Sandy Point were told to seek shelter from the fire's blistering heat as "it is too late to leave", the New South Wales Rural Fire Service informed. Hundreds of residents were evacuated after the fire moved swiftly to the properties at Holsworthy and Wattle Grove, as well as towards Holsworthy Barracks. Ember attack also affected residents in the Illawong, Bangor, Picnic Point and Como.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited the Rural Fire Service centre in Sutherland on Sunday afternoon as authorities reported some properties in Menai may have been affected. Turnbull stated, "Clearly with the wind increasing in strength the situation is worsening but there are outstanding efforts to control this fire being undertaken". Earlier that day, firefighters stated the wind would hinder their endeavours to put out the large fire, which began in Casula. "The combination of so much active fire on the ground, coupled with this forecast of very strong winds is the overlying challenge," Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said. Police have set up a crime scene and are finding out if the "fast-moving" bushfires burning out-of-control in southern Sydney were deliberately lit. The RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, concluded on that even though there had still been no property damage or serious injury from the fiery blaze, the “volatile, dynamic, and dangerous” fire was posing a stern challenge for the 500 firefighter.
Victoria
March
On 19 March windy and dry conditions across Victoria led to over 160 grassfires and bushfires. A fire near Terang reached over , one in Gnotuk-Camperdown approximately , and in Garvoc approximately . There were at least 18 houses lost in the fires. The Terang fire was declared under control on 20 March.
Queensland
August
Three homes were destroyed by a fire in Noosa North Shore and another two damaged. Another fire in Caloundra burned out of bush and farmland and threatened Corbould Racecourse.
November
A fire on 6 November in a National Park near Bells Creek burned out of forest before being brought under control. Another fire on the same day near Landsborough needed 30 trucks to control a fire that burned over of forest and threatened Australia Zoo.
Western Australia
January
On 14 January a large fire south of Sawyers Valley burnt through approximately jumping the Mundaring Weir. The smoke covered most of the Perth metro region.
On 29 January a fire started just outside of the Augusta townsite in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River. The fire moved rapidly on both sides of the Bussell Highway. An emergency warning was issued for the area. Multiple sheds and one derelict house were destroyed.
At midnight on 30 January a fire started in the Perth Hills suburb of Gidgegannup. A warning was issued and was upgraded an hour later. A few hours later a fire started in Kings Park at one stage threatening homes in Shenton Park.
February
On 1 February an emergency warning was issued for Elleker in the City of Albany. The fire was contained a few hours later.
May
Albany was menaced by 30 active fires late in May. One of the fires burned about west of Albany around Redmond and another burned about north west of Albany around Porongurup and Napier. At least one home was lost to fire near Wellstead in a fire that burned out an area of , the Porongurup fire lost an area of .
See also
List of Australian bushfire seasons
References
Bushfire seasons in Australia
Australian Bushfire Season
Australian Bushfire Season
2017 disasters in Australia
2018 disasters in Australia
2018 fires
2010s fires in Oceania
2017 fires