Southern New South Wales residents have voiced concerns about this year’s fire season following a record-breaking heatwave over late August and early September.
Last month, Australia recorded its hottest ever winter day nationwide, with Queensland recording temperatures 15 degrees above average from this time of year.
Blue Mountains resident Sia-Rose Campbell said she can feel this summer will be another dangerous fire season.
“Feeling the hot wind recently triggers a physical feeling of stress and fear,” Ms Campbell said.
“A similar feeling we all had in the 2020 bushfires.”
Many fire services across the country have also warned of an early start to this year’s bushfire season after an official Rural Fire Brigade assessment and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
Residents of the South Coast region are also drawing on experiences from the 2020 bushfires, which killed 34 people and an estimated three billion animals. The bushfires also destroyed 24 million hectares and more than 2,500 homes.
The 2020 bushfires is regarded as one of the worst in Australia’s history, the scars of which have left residents fearing for the upcoming season.
Experts are predicting that this season could rival that devastation if preventive measures are not implemented.
Mollymook resident Elijah King said he and his family are worried about what will come of this season.
“You can only hope that it doesn’t come back; the amount of damage that it caused was ridiculous,” Mr King said.
“Our trees are still growing back now, and we can’t afford to have another season like that.”
The recent heat has brought climate activist groups to call for the net zero goal of 2050 to be moved forward as the temperature begins to change more rapidly than anticipated.
Fire services across Australia have switched to high alert, with controlled burns and community education programs to help residents prepare for what may be a long and dangerous season.
