Bushfire warning as Australia marks five years since Black Summer horror

Millions are being urged to prepare for another possible brutal few weeks of bushfires as communities mark five years since the Black Summer tragedy.

Australians are bracing for a summer that could mirror the devastation caused during the 2019-20 Black Summer.

It’s been five years since 26 lives were lost, 2400 homes destroyed and more than 5.5 million hectares burned across NSW.

Now authorities are urging people to be prepared ahead of another possible summer filled with bushfires and natural disasters.

A large bushfire continues to burn in the Grampians National Park.

Significant bushfire hits Victoria

The warning comes as firefighters continue to battle ongoing bushfires in the Grampians National Park after 5400ha had burned as of Wednesday night.

Victorian firefighters are working hard to get the fire under control, but communities surrounding the national park are being urged to stay on high alert in case the fire spreads.

Incident controller Mark Gunning told concerned residents at an information session in Willaura on Thursday that the fire was burning in some inaccessible areas.

“This is a really serious fire,” Mr Gunning said, according to the Herald Sun.

“As the fire dangers increase over Friday, Saturday, these communities need to be ready for fire in case it punches out of the Grampians.”

Authorities expect the blaze will continue north on Saturday.

The massive bushfire comes off the back of 18 months of a lack of rainfall in southwestern Victoria.

The dry conditions have created more fuel within forests, making it easier for fires to start and spread, according to the Country Fire Authority.

Ararat Rural City Council tankers are being used in the fire zone in the Grampians National Park.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan urged anyone planning on travelling across Victoria during the summer to be aware of the potential fire dangers in those areas and reconsider their travel on days of extreme fire danger rating.

“We know people have a lot to think about this festive season, but taking a few minutes to plan and prepare could save the lives of you and those you love,” he said.

“On hot, dry and windy days, have a back-up location to visit that is not in a high-risk bushfire area.

“If you’re staying in a bushfire risk area, the safest option is to leave the night before or early in the day on a catastrophic or extreme day.”

Mr Heffernan said people should also be aware of what you could and couldn’t do on a total fire ban day.

“If you are visiting a holiday home over the summer period, making sure the grass is mowed and gutters are clean are just some of the things you can do to prepare for the fire season we are expecting,” he said.

A fire continues to leave residents on high alert in the Grampians. Picture: Mandy Straw

States on high alert

The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer 2024 released in November by the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) identified an increased risk of fire in large parts of the country including:

• Victoria – Western Districts and Mallee regions, portions of the northeast and the Mornington Peninsula
• South Australia – The southeast corner of South Australia bordering Victoria, as well as Mount Lofty Ranges, parts of the Fleurieu and Eyre Peninsulas
• New South Wales – Parts of the central north and southwest
• Northern Territory – Areas of the territory including the Barkley, Central Desert
• West Australia – Sections of southern and mid-west Western Australia

Other areas of concern in Victoria include most of western and northeastern Victoria, parts of greater Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and southwest Gippsland after a lack of rainfall across these areas resulted in more fuels available and an increased chance of fires.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology outlook indicates increased rainfall for parts of eastern Australia and scattered parts of the west.

Far northern and central Queensland is forecast to experience an increased chance of unusually high rainfall, as seen this week with flooding across some parts of the Sunshine State.

Warmer than average days and nights are also forecast across much of Australia, with unusually high minimum temperatures expected for much of northern and eastern Australia across summer, according to the bureau.

Australian firefighters are preparing for another horror summer of bushfires. Picture: Peter Parks / AFP

Five years on since Black Summer

The horrific Black Summer five years ago claimed the lives of 26 people and endless destruction of property and vegetation across NSW.

The deaths included four dedicated NSW RFS members – Andrew O’Dwyer, Geoffrey Keaton, Samuel McPaul and Colin Burns – as well as American aircrew Ian McBeth, Paul Hudson and Rick DeMorgan Jr, who each gave their lives to help others during the devastating bushfire season.

In a statement, the RFS confirmed significant progress had since been made in improving fire mitigation, response capabilities and community awareness across the state in the hope Australia doesn’t experience another Black Summer.

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers said it was important to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and honour the resilience of affected communities.

“The Black Summer bushfires were an unprecedented tragedy,” Mr Rogers said.

“We mourn the loss of lives, especially those of our brave RFS volunteers and aircrew who gave everything to protect our communities.

“Their courage and selflessness will never be forgotten.”

The NSW Rural Fire Service has upgraded firefighting equipment since the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires. Picture: Supplied by NSW Rural Fire Service

Mr Rogers said it was important every resident and visitor in an at-risk area should have a bushfire plan.

“With the summer ahead, it is crucial for all of us to remain vigilant. Prepare your homes, update your bushfire survival plan and stay informed,” he said.

“Live bushfire ready.

“The Black Summer bushfires tested us in ways we could never have imagined.

“We saw unprecedented fire behaviour, destruction and loss, but we also witnessed the extraordinary dedication of our members and the support of people from across Australia and the world.

“We remember our fallen colleagues with deep sadness and pride.

“Their sacrifices remind us of the importance of the work we do and why we all must remain vigilant and prepared as we face future fire seasons.”

Originally published as Bushfire warning as Australia marks five years since Black Summer horror