Bigger, hotter, longer: Bushfire Royal Commission tackles unprecedented challenge

Sydney Morning Herald by Mike Foley 28 October 2020

Australia has seen 51 bushfire inquiries since its first - the 1939 Black Friday Royal Commission - but the current Black Summer inquiry, due to be published on Friday, arguably tackles greater challenges than any previous investigation.

Experts told the inquiry the bushfires of 2019-20, which torched 10 million hectares, claimed 33 lives and destroyed more than 3000 homes, was the first manifestation of climate change, with fires running hotter, for longer and across multiple state jurisdictions.

Last summer lightning strikes created huge blazes in remote bushland in the Snowy Mountains, Blue Mountains and NSW South Coast, as well as a series of fires that burned across East Gippsland in Victoria.

Former Victorian Country Fire Authority chief Neil Bibby said recommendations to boost early aerial response at the first sign of smoke in remote areas should be a crucial element of the commission's recommendations. "It's fundamental. When you put the little fire out it doesn't become a big one, it's really simple. The fire services understand it, but the public and politicians don't," Mr Bibby said. Click here to read the full article