Bushfires in Australia

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How do bushfires start in Australia?

There are a many causes of a bushfire some as a result of natural events and others caused by human activities. In Australia alone we have more bushfires than anywhere else in the world. Humans used fire for warmth and preparation of food for as long as we know. At some stage in time humans started using fire’s for more, hunting. By burning fields we could change them into grass lands thus make hunting a lot easier, but doubtless we soon discovered that fire cannot be controlled by man.
Deliberately light bushfires have a unique pattern, a clear pattern in timing and location of when the bushfire occurred. When trying to understand deliberately light bushfire fire-fighters and investigators have to observe the timing and location of the fire. They also have to take in to consideration how different types of fires vary in different areas. Another aspect in understanding a deliberately light fire is focusing on interplay between biological factors. All this information is used to develop strategies to prevent and narrow suspects in particular situations. Deliberately light fires usually ignite between 3 and 6 pm, after school hours. The bigger percentage of these deliberately light fires where traced back to children 18 years and younger. Between 6pm and 6 am on weekend 48% of all fires are deliberately ignited compared to only 30% non-deliberately within the same timeframe
Accidental ignition of a bushfires include subjects like; Leaving a fire unattended, Having an open fire on a dry windy day, The glass from a bottle or mirror can cause a small flame to become a raging wildfire, A cigarette or match that has not been put out or flammable chemicals that are left in areas or in the sun, f...

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...r in small pieces, as the small pieces land on dry fuel it causes smaller fires. Climate change can cause and increase chances for bushfires by causing hot and dry weather creating fuel for bushfires. All these natural bushfires may be dangerous but it plays an important role in certain native flora in Australia for reproduction.

An example of a significant bushfires caused by human and natural activities would be black Saturday. On February 2009 a major bushfire swept it way through Victoria causing the death of 173 people and injuries to a further 414 individuals. It holds the title of the bushfire with the most amounts of lives lost in Australia. As many as 400 single fires were recorded on the day. The main causes of ignition of black Saturday where fallen power lines, arson and lightning. As stated in the first paragraph; Fire cannot be controlled by man.

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