Australia Bushfires?

Question

1. Identify where and when they occur in Australia. Give examples of each.
2. Explain the processes that contribute to them. Draw diagrams to illustrate your explanations.
3. Describe the effects they have on the natural and human environments.

Answer 1

"Bush fire season" usually lasts from the end of October to the end of March. This year it has been extended and began at the end of September. These fires occur from the subtropical areas to the cooler temperate zones way down south. These areas are typified by hot dry summers. There are many examples but the worst became known as the "Ash Wednesday Fires" You could put this in a search engine to get more details.

Build up of debris from forest "litter" over several years, a period of hot dry weather, ignition, fires create their own wind but if winds are strong these will increase the intensity of the fire.

Fires cause many seeds to germinate (these seeds need fire to do this), Cleans up old vegetation and removes forest litter, although it removes some homes of animals, and kills some, fires reinvigorate the environment and cause a 'rebirth' to occur. The effect on Human kind is not so positive.

You must realize that fires are a natural part of the life cycle of the forest in many parts of Australia.

Answer 2

1. Australian bushfires can happen just about anywhere and depending on what state of Australia can happen any time.
2 high temperatures low humidity and a good north wind will set the bush alight or an idiot with a match
3 animals lose their habitat humans lose their farms and stock

Answer 3

the best place for a lot of this information, and in much more detail, would be at your local fire station, or by contacting your rural fire service headquaters. these people know all about bush fires, and would be happy to put you in the right direction.
its amazing what people will send you and give you for free if you tell them its for a school project!