What is a bushfire?
What is a bushfire? Bushfires are fires that burn through areas of bushland.
They are a type of wildfire – fires that burn through wild vegetation like woodland, scrubland, grassland or savannahs. These fires are unpredictable and difficult to control.
These fires are particularly common in areas that experience hot, dry weather, like Australia, Greece, Africa and parts of the USA, like California.
What causes bushfires?
There are lots of possible bushfire causes. They can start naturally, when lightning strikes and ignites dry plants and trees, like the golden wattle tree. But they can also be caused by people, for example, by someone not extinguishing their campfire properly. Sadly, sometimes fires are started by someone deliberately.
Climate change doesn’t start bushfires, but it does cause them to become larger and more ferocious. That’s because our warming planet is experiencing more intense periods of drought, drying out the vegetation that fuels the fires. All that’s needed is a spark.
What is climate change?
Read our article to understand more about it.
Are bushfires natural?
Believe it or not, bushfires are actually part of an important natural cycle that’s been around for hundreds of millions of years. Flames can kill insects and diseases that harm trees. Low intensity fires burn dead or decaying debris on the ground which helps return nutrients to the soil. Fires also make space for new shoots to grow, and for more sunlight to reach the ground – creating a valuable food source and new habitat for animals and birds.
In places that often experience fires, some species of plants have even adapted to use fire for survival. For example, bottlebrush plants that grow in Australia produce a hard, woody fruit containing hundreds of tiny seeds. Some plants won’t release these seeds unless there is a fire.
Sometimes, people who look after wild areas will start a controlled fire to help manage the land. These fires are carefully planned and monitored to make sure that they don’t put anyone at risk of danger. Controlled fires help to prevent large-scale, out-of-control bushfires by clearing dry leaves, grasses and branches that could fuel a potential fire, in a controlled way.
Traditionally, the First Nations People of Australia used fire to manage the landscape, encourage new growth and help them hunt.
Why are bushfires dangerous?
Bushfires become dangerous when they grow out of control and encroach on communities. The flames can burn through buildings, and breathing in the smoke from fires can be harmful. Windy weather conditions can fan the flames, spreading the blaze more quickly.
Thankfully, there are lots of people, like firefighters, government officials and ordinary men and women, working extremely hard to learn how to better prevent and control bushfires. And there are lots of ways in which you and your family can stay safe during a bushfire, like planning an escape route and keeping an emergency bag packed in case you need to leave in a hurry.
You can learn more in this kids’ guide to bushfire safety from the South Australian Country Fire Service.
What can I do to help?
If you’re worried about bushfires, there’s lots you can do to help the people and wildlife affected:
– Consider raising money for a charity. You could hold a bake sale or do a sponsored walk to drum up donations:
Wildlife Victoria and RSPCA Victoria are supporting wildlife during bushfires.
Save The Children Australia and Unicef Australia are supporting children who have been affected by bushfires.
– Create posters that educate others about the dangers of bushfires and how to stay safe.
– Be kind to the planet – climate change can make bushfires worse, so try to live in a way that doesn’t harm the environment.
– Leave shallow dishes of cool water out for thirsty wildlife. Place them in shaded spots on the ground and up in trees, where animals will be safe from predators, if you can. Be sure to use non-metal dishes, as these will absorb heat and become hot very quickly.
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COMMENTS1
ali
this is so good It was so help full
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
this helped for an assesment
bentley.m
this helped me lots with my work thank you national geographic kids
Lil tiny
Very great article for my play on bushfires. U0U
Ash
This was really helpful for my imformation report
Shhhhh
stop the fires now!!!
tarrin
thank you so much im working on an assignment rn and this helps alot.
Mel
This was helpful, im doing an assignment on bushfires at school
DIDDY
GREAT FOR MY PROJECT
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aaron
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heyhey
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Evalynn
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Tatum
I learned a lot about bush fires
izzy
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angus
I like this but not that much
Lily D.
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Ashley
This tells me a lot about bush fires
I
You should add how to prepare for a bushfire but overall its great.
Indi
i needed this for a project
Unknown
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BEAN
Very helpful for my ‘How do bushfires start’ test!!! Definitely recommend for anyone who needs it for a test or is just interested!!
Harvey
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izzac dezznucs
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Chur
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Shay
I feel bad for animals that die
Isabel
it help me so much
someone in the universe
Reduce bushfires!
kal
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Eli
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kal
Great
uwftdvc
we had one where in the spring
cat90
really good eaven if you don't live in a place with bush/wildfires
will
amazing article for trusted information.
Hannah
Sometimes, a small mistake, like throwing away a burning cigarette could lead to to incredible disaster. Watch out!
Archer
this was great for my project
Victoria
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Hap
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Bradley Dell larkin
I needed this info for my project this week.
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Someone
Let's take action
Someone
Let's take action
Karen
If you put a bowl out it could fly away but verry article. We need more firefighter. If we put water in a tree animals can climb up the tree and there could be a fire and the animal could get stuck.
eg
very good
Riley
I love Australia
AFAN
We need more firefighters
Dalia
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SM679914
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:D
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gem
very helpful/good infomation for my informative text on bushfires
Anonymous
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Alisa
Bushfires are pretty terrible and common so let’s help everyone over come bushfires
Bob
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A
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alcides
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Arabella
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Mrs lion
Bella
Nice
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Mahsa
Mahsa
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hi
Anoek
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potato
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Dylan
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Paul
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Ruby
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Liza
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JEn
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Tyler
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potato
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Stevenbobagious
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Ellen
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Ellen
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Ami
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Sophie
So sad :(
Ava-Lynn-Turgeon
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Pig34
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Lily Moseling
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CuteRog
I’m going to make posters about the bushfires! LETS TAKE ACTION!!!!!!!!!!
Blane
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Eshaal
Everyone help save these fires from happening
adem
i wish it never happens again
cutelobsterfish
We should take more care!
cutelobsterfish
I hope people are OK.
cici
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