Bushfire Season - prevent & prepare
The Australian and New Zealand National Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) seasonal outlook for summer has just been released, outlining the potential fire danger across Australia. Here’s a summary of what The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer 2024 report had to say.
The AFAC has identified areas of heightened fire potential and offered insights into the contributing environmental and climate factors. For Victoria, including the Yarra Ranges, the report has highlighted significant fire risk due to prolonged dry conditions, reduced rainfall, and high fuel availability in forests, heathlands, and grasslands.
In Victoria, a lack of consistent rainfall through autumn, winter, and spring has resulted in landscape dryness, particularly in western and northeastern regions, southwest Gippsland, the Mornington Peninsula, and parts of Greater Melbourne. These areas are identified as having an increased fire risk. The Yarra Ranges, known for its dense vegetation, fits within these higher-risk areas due to accumulated dry fuel loads, which increase the likelihood of fires starting and spreading rapidly.
A specific concern for the Yarra Ranges and similar areas is the phenomenon of "green drought," where surface vegetation appears green due to recent rain but masks underlying dryness in soil and fuel layers. This situation can lead to dangerous and fast-moving fires, especially if early summer rainfall gives way to hotter, drier conditions later in the season.
Key Considerations for the Yarra Ranges
Dry Conditions: Persistent rainfall deficits and warmer-than-average temperatures have heightened the region's susceptibility to fires.
Fuel Loads: High availability of dry vegetation and forest debris increases fire risk.
Variable Rainfall: While above-average rainfall is possible in early summer, any drying trends could exacerbate fire potential.
The report emphasises the importance of ongoing monitoring of weather and fuel conditions, as well as community vigilance and preparation. Residents in the Yarra Ranges and other high-risk areas are encouraged to create and update their bushfire survival plans, clear vegetation around properties, and stay informed through reliable sources like Emergency Victoria.
Victoria's fire risk assessment aligns with broader trends across southern Australia, where rising temperatures, reduced soil moisture, and accumulated dry fuel are creating the conditions for a potentially active fire season. However, the potential for early summer rainfall could offer a temporary reprieve in some areas, emphasizing the need for flexibility and readiness in fire response and prevention efforts.
By staying informed and taking proactive measures, communities like the Yarra Ranges can reduce their vulnerability and improve resilience against the risks of a challenging summer ahead. For further details on how to prepare, pop on over to our emergency resources.
Preventing the ignition source is equally important
Climate change is making bushfires more intense and harder to control, with warmer and drier conditions fueling the risk. Experts, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, predict that bushfire intensity will continue to increase, and this is already being felt in places like Victoria and California. In the United States, studies have shown that for every 1°C increase in temperature, the frequency of lightning strikes—which can ignite bushfires—goes up by 12%. These findings are alarming, especially when paired with data showing that human actions are responsible for starting 80-95% of all bushfires.
The costs of managing bushfires are also rising dramatically. In the U.S., bushfire-related expenses for the Forest Service increased from 16% of its budget in 1995 to 52% in 2015. While this reflects the growing challenge of controlling bushfires, it also highlights the importance of prevention. Research shows that addressing human-caused ignitions is critical to reducing the risk of bushfires. This is not just about stopping deliberate actions—it’s about raising awareness and changing behaviours that unintentionally spark fires, like poorly managed burn-offs or discarded cigarette butts.
For communities like ours, this issue hits close to home. As the impacts of climate change grow, we must work together to prevent bushfires and protect both our local environment and each other. Small, collective actions—like ensuring fire-safe practices, reporting risks, and staying informed—can make a significant difference in reducing the number of human-caused ignitions. Taking steps now helps safeguard our community, homes, and ecosystems for the future.
Gender & Decision-Making during Bushfires: Why Mums of the Hills takes a gendered approach
Bushfire preparedness and decision-making often reveal stark gender dynamics, which can significantly impact the safety and well-being of families and communities. During emergencies, women frequently find themselves fighting to convince their husbands or partners to evacuate early. This dynamic often arises from traditional notions of masculinity that associate staying to defend the home with strength and responsibility. Unfortunately, this reluctance to leave can place entire families at greater risk when conditions deteriorate faster than expected.
A common barrier in these situations is that men may perceive women’s concerns about bushfires as overreactions. This dismissal of risk can delay the enactment of bushfire plans, including evacuating early, which is consistently the safest course of action. When women’s voices are minimised, the safety of the entire household can be jeopardised, highlighting the importance of addressing these dynamics in bushfire preparedness strategies.
Women are also disproportionately affected by bushfires, both during and after the event. They are often the ones managing the emotional and practical aftermath—caring for children, organising resources, and navigating trauma recovery for the family. Studies have shown that women bear much of the mental and emotional burden of disasters, yet their contributions to decision-making processes are often undervalued.
Mums of the Hills has chosen to take a gendered approach to bushfire preparedness because these realities cannot be ignored. Women play a crucial role in keeping their families safe, but they need resources and support to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns acted upon. Our programs aim to empower women with the knowledge and confidence to make decisions that prioritise safety over outdated gender roles.
Through workshops, resources, and community discussions, we provide women with the tools to lead critical conversations about bushfire safety while encouraging men to engage in these programs. By helping everyone in the household better understand risks and respect concerns, we foster collaborative and informed decision-making. This shared approach to responsibility ensures bushfire preparedness becomes a united effort, grounded in respect and trust.
Bushfires don’t discriminate, but their impacts often reflect societal dynamics. By acknowledging the gendered aspects of bushfire preparedness, Mums of the Hills is working to create a safer and more equitable approach to emergency planning—one that values everyone’s input and helps families prepare for the challenges ahead.
In the face of growing bushfire risks exacerbated by climate change, it is clear that preparedness requires a multifaceted approach. By recognising the role of gender dynamics in decision-making, addressing the barriers women face in being heard, and fostering collaborative responsibility within households, we can create safer and more resilient communities.
At Mums of the Hills, we believe that empowering women, engaging men, and bridging the gap between online and place-based connections are essential steps in this process. Together, through education, respect, and collective action, we can ensure our families and communities are better equipped to face the challenges of an unpredictable future.