What is actually happening?
Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought
have fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia.
Rain has brought some respite to the thousands of
firefighters and volunteers tackling the blazes, which have been burning since
September. The fires intensified over the past week, with number of towns
evacuated.
At least 20 people have so far been killed - including three
volunteer firefighters - and more than 6.3 million hectares (63,000 sq km or
15.6 million acres) of bush, forest and parks have been burned.
In the worst-hit state, New South Wales (NSW), fire has
affected almost five million hectares, destroying more than 1,300 houses and
forcing thousands to seek shelter elsewhere.
Hot, dry weather combined with prolonged drought and strong
winds have created perfect conditions for fire to spread rapidly.
More than 130 fires were burning across the state on Monday,
in the bush, mountain forests and national parks, with about 54 still not
contained by firefighters.
Who is to blame?
Humans are sometimes to blame for starting the fires, but
they are also often sparked by natural causes, such as lightning striking dry
vegetation.
Once fires have started, other areas are at risk, with
embers blown by the wind causing blazes to spread to new areas. Bush fires
themselves can also drive thunderstorms, increasing the risk of lightning
strikes and further fires.
So is this down to climate change?
Many are asking that very question - but the science is
complicated. Scientists have long warned that a hotter, drier climate will
contribute to fires becoming more frequent and more intense. Many parts of
Australia have been in drought conditions, some for years, which have made it
easier for the fires to spread and grow.
Data shows that Australia has warmed overall by slightly
more than one degree Celsius since 1910, with most of the heating occurring
since 1950, the Bureau of Meteorology says. Australia broke its all-time
temperature record twice in December. An average maximum of 40.9C was recorded
on 17 December, broken a day later by 41.9C, both beating 2013's record of
40.3C.
The main climate driver behind the heat has been a
positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) -
an event where sea surface temperatures are warmer in the western half of the
ocean, cooler in the east.
The difference between the two temperatures is currently the
strongest in 60 years.
As a result, there has been higher-than-average rainfall and
floods in eastern Africa and droughts in south-east Asia and Australia.
How can you help?
There are many ways you can help those impacted by the
bushfires, the best one being donating money. The following are some trusted
organisations you can reach out and donate to:
Thank you in advance!
Information credits:
BBC and Business Insider
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