Learning from Experience, Indonesia's Neighbour Prepares to Combat Bushfires

Australia is preparing to face a bushfire season driven by El Niño, which is triggering hot and dry weather. Seasonal firefighters from the Forestry Corporation of New South Wales were seen conducting controlled burns to reduce fire risks in the State Forest near Clarence Town, Australia, last Monday. These mitigation efforts are being carried out as officials increase vigilance in anticipation of a fire season marked by rising temperatures and drier conditions due to a strong El Niño phenomenon.

The Forestry Corporation of New South Wales is a state-owned enterprise of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, responsible for managing state forests and commercial forestry activities. The corporation anticipates that the current fire season has the potential to be busier than usual. Nevertheless, officials emphasise that the current situation remains under control and there is no reason for panic.

“This year we are on alert but not panicking. Forecasts indicate the possibility of a busier fire season than usual because conditions will be quite dry and hot,” said Alex Caparraro, a sector commander for the Forestry Corporation of New South Wales.

Authorities are also conducting controlled burns in several forested areas to reduce flammable vegetation. This step is being taken to limit the spread of fire should a bushfire occur.

Australia’s heightened vigilance is reinforced by the experience of the massive 2019-2020 fires, known as the “Black Summer.” That disaster scorched an area the size of Turkey and claimed 33 lives.

Caparraro assesses that while this fire season is likely to be quite busy, it is unlikely to be as severe as the 2019-2020 period. That experience remains a critical consideration for officials when assessing safety, field conditions, and fire behaviour.

Concerns have also emerged following the extreme summer experienced in Europe. The United Kingdom recorded its hottest summer since records began, while Italy experienced its warmest summer in the last 75 years, with several regions hit by intense bushfires.

According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the peak fire danger typically begins in mid-October in northern New South Wales and in December in the southern parts. Officials are now preparing themselves to face the potential increase in fire risks due to hot and dry weather.