Risks

Vegetation species around the geographic location of Adelaide, South Australia and most of Australia are all fire prone, unlike the tropical rainforests of north Queensland which are virtually fire free. Heavy rains during the colder seasons result in the growth of lush vegetation through the seasons in which these plants flourish. As summer comes around foliage dries out and litters the grounds fuelling bushfires creating a major risk for humans, environment and wildlife.

Future bushfires can be affected by many conditions around the Adelaide region, increasing ambient temperatures is the main result of bushfires initially beginning. These higher temperatures will also contribute to the bushfires extreme intensity when traveling across land. If global temperatures increase due to climate change with the increase of CO2 to the atmosphere, this will only greatly increase the frequency of bushfires and the aftermath which these hazards leave (Geoscience Australia 2014).

Below average rainfall for the rest of 2017 and on-going to the year 2018 has been forecasted (Bom.gov.au. 2017). With fewer rains coming up to summer around the Adelaide hills more vegetation will dry out. Extensive fuel for bushfires is provided this way with dried grass lands becoming the main cause for bushfires when the conditions are right.Taking into account Adelaide’s hilly terrain fires will travel exceedingly faster uphill compared to a flat surface, this occurs because flames can easily extend to unburnt fuel sources in front of the fire. Flames pre-heat the dried matter in front making it more flammable which in turn increases the speed at which bushfires can travel (Country Fire Authority 2017).

Eucalyptus Trees are native to Australia and are highly populated, their leaves contain volatile highly combustible oils which give them their very distinct smell. The native tree is well known for the amount of dead leafs it litters below which cover large amounts of area due to the high population. The littered leafs are full of phenolic and these prevent breakdown of the material by the usual fungi which feed under the trees. Wild bushfires can spread rapidly under them feeding off the dead leafs and combustible oils which have been recorded to give off explosions sending embers flying into unburnt shrubbery (Gabbert, V. 2017).