No Slowdown In Massive Australian Bushfires - 1 Million Ha Burned, 900-Mile Fire Front - IHT

[hatrack]

SYDNEY: Australia's second-most- populous state is in the grip of one of the worst bushfire seasons in recorded history, and the government of Victoria is warning that with more hot weather on the way the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. "This is the worst bushfire conditions we have ever had in Victoria's history because it is going to go on, and it is going to get worse," the state's premier, Steve Bracks, said on Wednesday, after cutting short his holiday to take control of the crisis.

More than a million hectares, or almost 2,500,000 acres, of forest and farmland in the southeastern state have already been burned, and some 200,000 people were without power Tuesday after lines were bought down by the fires. Most had power restored by Wednesday afternoon.

Bracks warned that despite the 40 degree Celsius, or 104 degree Fahrenheit, heat, people should continue to conserve electricity. "We are bracing ourselves for some very, very tough conditions," he said.

EDIT

Some of the fires have been burning for more than a month, fueled by high temperatures following some of the driest conditions on record. Australia is in the grip of a drought that has desiccated huge areas of farmland and forest across the nation, creating perfect conditions for the massive bushfires. Most of the fires are the result of lightning strikes on the tinder-dry scrub, but some are alleged to have been started by arsonists, including one that has combined with others to create the single largest fire, which covers 650,000 hectares and has been burning since Dec. 1. That fire already has a front almost 1,500 kilometers, or 930 miles, long and is still jumping containment lines.

EDIT

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/17/news/fire.php

[kestrel91316]

1. I'd say the loss of vegetation would allow for the aquifers to

recharge, unimpeded.........but there isn't any rain in OZ anymore to speak of, so that shoots THAT note of optimism...............

[phantom power]

3. loss of vegetation can also impede aquifer recharge.

vegetation does a lot to slow down the flow of ground water, allowing it time to seep into the ground. Denuded landscape mostly allows rainwater to run off, taking a lot of topsoil with it.

[kestrel91316]

4. Very true. Though grasses and small plants are the first

to come back, and they will start that process. Loss of trees is what might help the aquifers.

[amandabeech]

2. Short wheat crop, too.

Another dry year here in the U.S. and Canadian wheat belt and stocks will fall even further.