Climate Change and the NSW/ACT Bushfire Threat: Update 2016
This report provides an update to the previous Climate Council report on bushfire risk in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and explores the impacts of fire on people, property, water supply and biodiversity. The findings estimate that the economic cost of bushfires in NSW and ACT to be approximately $100m this year, with annual bushfire costs projected to more than double by 2050. The future implications of bushfires for fire managers, planners and emergency services are also explored.
Key Findings
- Climate change is already increasing the risk of bushfires in NSW and ACT.
- In NSW and the ACT, the fire season is starting earlier and lasting longer. Dangerous fire weather has been extending into Spring and Autumn.
- Recent severe fires in NSW and the ACT have been influenced by record hot, dry conditions.
- The total economic costs of NSW and ACT bushfires are estimated at approximately $100 million per year and are expected to more than double by 2050.
- In the future, NSW and the ACT are very likely to experience an increased number of days with dangerous fire weather. Communities, emergency services and health services must keep preparing.
- This is the critical decade to protect Australians.
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