The bushfires that swept through Victoria In February 2009 killed almost 200 people as record temperatures turned the bush into a tinderbox. The events, described as Australia’s worst peacetime disaster, have left thousands homeless, destroyed entire communities and transformed forests into ash. After the bushfires: Australia counts the cost Technorati Tags: drought,heat wave,wildfire,forest fire,Australia,global warming,climate […]
November 15, 2009 (AAP) – A total fire ban has been declared for much of NSW as the state prepares itself for temperatures of up to 40C on Monday. Temperatures of 39C have been forecast for western Sydney, while Broken Hill in the state’s far west will endure a blistering 41C day. … The ban […]
November 14, 2009 (AAP) — Fire crews are on standby across Victoria as a severe fire danger rating comes into effect in the north-west of the state. The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) have warned that high and very high fire danger ratings will be in place in […]
By BRIDIE SMITHNovember 9, 2009 MELBOURNE’S water storage is set to fall for the first time in four months this week, as a record string of hot November days coincides with reduced run-off and a lack of spring rain. While catchments were still benefiting from last month’s falls, water flowing into reservoirs has gradually decreased. […]
Scientists unravel how warming temperatures will trigger more wild fires in California’s Yosemite National Park. By Matt Walker, Editor, Earth News Wild fires within California’s world famous Yosemite National Park are set to become more frequent and severe due to climate change. New research has unpicked how this may happen; and it is not just […]
By DARREN CARTWRIGHT, November 1, 2009 NEW Queensland Government planning laws to protect dwindling koala numbers in the state’s south-east are laughable, the Australian Koala Foundation says. Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones yesterday announced measures to protect the marsupials’ habitats. The measures include spending $15 million to buy new habitats or rehabilitate existing […]
A new map illustrating the global consequences of failing to keep temperature change to under 2 °C was launched today by the UK Government, in partnership with the Met Office. The map was developed using the latest peer-reviewed science from the Met Office Hadley Centre and other leading impact scientists. The poster highlights some of […]
Reporting by Jon Herskovitz, Editing by Dean Yates SEOUL (Reuters) – Vast forest fires have hit a large part of central North Korea, sending plumes of smoke over most of the country’s central and eastern regions, images provided by NASA show. … The U.S. space agency said multiple fires had been burning in the state […]
By Rob Taylor CANBERRA (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned the nation Wednesday to brace for a severe bushfire season as fire crews battled intense blazes stoking memories of infernos earlier this year which killed 173 people. … “I would urge all Australians to make sure they are fully prepared for the challenges […]
By JONATHAN DART, October 10, 2009 MORE than 1000 properties across the state are expected to be earmarked and prepared as shelters of last resort in case of a bushfire. In one of the largest collaborative projects between the state’s Rural Fire Service and emergency services, the ”neighbourhood safer places” will be chosen, prepared […]
