Key Takeaways
- The Victorian bushfires have burned over 400,000 hectares of land, destroyed hundreds of structures, and resulted in one fatality.
- The fires are largely burning in grasslands, which are highly susceptible to wind-driven fires.
- Satellite imagery shows the scale and destructive force of the fires, with long tentacles of fire and pyrocumulus clouds forming.
- Experts warn that if heatwave conditions continue, the eucalyptus forests could dry out and potentially ignite in February or March.
- The fires are being fueled by extreme heat and high winds, making firefighting conditions difficult.
Introduction to the Victorian Bushfires
The Victorian bushfires have been raging for weeks, with hundreds of images captured by an orbiting weather satellite showing the scale and destructive force of the disaster. The satellite imagery, stitched together by the ABC, reveals the extent of the damage, with over 400,000 hectares of land burned, hundreds of structures destroyed, and one man killed. The fires have been fueled by extreme heat and high winds, with temperatures soaring into the 40s and wind gusts reaching over 110 kilometers per hour.
Understanding the Fire Dynamics
Professor David Bowman, a professor of pyrogeography and fire science from the University of Tasmania, has analyzed the satellite imagery and notes that the Victorian fires appear to be a mirror image of the Black Summer fires. However, unlike the previous fire disaster in 2019-20, which was characterized by bone-dry eucalyptus forests, the current fires are largely burning in grasslands. This is due to the good wet years, which have left the rural lands with plenty of fuel. The satellite imagery shows the "long tentacles of fire" that are characteristic of wind-driven fires, which can burn along corridors and coalesce on the flanks.
Satellite Imagery Analysis
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s Himawari weather satellite has been capturing images of the fires every 10 minutes, providing a detailed view of the fire emergency. The images show the Walwa fire near the Victoria and New South Wales border in its early stages on January 7, with temperatures peaking at 41.1 degrees Celsius. The following day, the fire is emitting a white, fluffy cloud, which is a sign of pyrocumulus and pyrocumulonimbus clouds forming. These clouds are indicative of a fire that is generating its own weather system, which can cause lightning strikes.
Fire Spread and Intensification
As the temperatures continued to soar, the fires erupted across the state, with thick plumes of smoke pouring from the fires near Walwa and Longwood, and from a new fire in the Big Desert Wilderness Park. The smoke can be seen near Mount Darling in the Alpine National Park and Harcourt in central Victoria, with other fires shrouded in clouds. By the evening, thick plumes of smoke and ash blanketed Melbourne, and the first sign of two large fires in the Great Otway National Park near Colac can be seen.
Firefighting Challenges
The fires have been difficult to fight, with Professor Bowman noting that the rapid spread of the fires through grasslands makes it challenging to control. The high winds have also made it difficult for firefighters to contain the blazes, with everything being controlled by the wind. The fires have resulted in the loss of one life, with cattle farmer Max Hobson being identified as the first fatality. Despite the challenges, authorities have been working to get on top of the statewide disaster, with emergency alerts being issued and fire crews battling to contain the fires.
Future Risks and Concerns
Professor Bowman warns that if heatwave conditions continue in Victoria, the eucalyptus forests could dry out and potentially ignite in February or March. This is a concern, as the eucalyptus forests are highly flammable and could lead to a more severe fire season. The current fires are largely burning in grasslands, but the potential for the eucalyptus forests to ignite is a worrying prospect. As the fire season continues, it is essential to monitor the weather conditions and be prepared for any potential fires that may arise.
