heat wave raises fears of devastating forest fires

Australia fears the worst. Particularly high temperatures, accompanied by a hot wind, were recorded on Tuesday September 19 on the eastern coast of Australia, rekindling memories of the devastating forest fires of the summer of 2019-2020. In parts of New South Wales, temperatures reached up to 34°C, more than 10°C above the average for an austral spring. “A risk of terrible fires is expected this afternoon in the region due to strong winds”said the New South Wales Rural Fire Brigade.

The spring heatwave sweeping eastern Australia follows the warmest winter on record since records began in 1910. Experts expect the fire season to be the most intense in Australia since summer 2019-2020. In recent years, conditions have been unusually wet, which has helped make trees grow faster, increasing the amount of potential fuel to fuel fires.