Bushfire Essay

Bushfire Essay

Every summer Australia is in danger of bushfires that devastate lives, eucalypt forests and rage into the suburban fringes of major cities.There are a few bushfires that are under the disaster banner. Some of these were in:

- South Australia and Victoria in 1983, which claimed 76 lives and was designated as Ash Wednesday.

-Southern Victoria, 1969 when 23 passed away.

- New South Wales (1968) in the Blue Mountains and coastal region. 14 lives were taken during this fire.

- Hobart and Southern Tasmania, 1967, which left 62 dead.

- Victoria, 1939 and was named Black Friday. It took 71 lives.

- Bushfires in Australia occur either as a Grass Fire or Forest Fire.

Grass Fires - These usually occur on grazing and farm land. Though it may take place in remote scrub country, it often destroys fences, livestock, buildings and can claim lives.

Forest Fires - Australias forests are largely made up of eucalyptus trees that once caught alight are very difficult to control and extinguish due to the high amounts of flammable vapour from its leaves. This causes large fireballs in the upper storey of the forest and large clouds of smoke blanket the ground and any aerial observations that need to be made.

Causes of Bushfires - Bushfires can be caused deliberately or accidentally. Some of these causes are:

- Leaving a fire unattended (at a camp, barbeque).

- Having an open fire on a dry windy day.

- The glass from a bottle or mirror can cause a small flame to become a raging wildfire.

- A cigarette or match that has not been put out.

- flammable chemicals that are left in hot areas or in the sun.

Ways to Control a Bushfire, Bushfires are fought by numerous trained volunteer fire-fighters and Emergency Service people who have access to the appropriate equipment. Helicopters and light aircrafts are used to make observations about the fire. Some observations they could make are:

- Determining the direction the fire may take.

- Where to make...