Christmas mood dampened

Saturday, 21 December 2019 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A firefighter in action

With Christmas round the corner it’s a hive of activity all round. The heavily decorated shopping malls are full of shoppers. Homes have begun to put up colourful lighting and the kids are counting the days for the arrival of Santa Claus. They also love to accompany their parents to go shopping to pick gifts for themselves and their friends.

Social institutions are using Santa Claus to raise funds for community projects. Usually, while Santa Claus travels in an open truck ringing a bell announcing his arrival with goodies for kids, staff members approach the elders for funds.

Meanwhile, the mood of New South Wales (NSW) people has been dampened by the news of bush fires in certain areas. It was reported that by mid-week there were 85 fires in NSW of which 46 were thought to be out of control and 14 at an “emergency level”.

Ready for Christmas

More than 3,000 firefighters were on the ground, supported by 60 aircraft.

The New South Wales government declared a state of emergency for seven days, and more than 575 schools and TAFE (Technical and Further Education) campuses were closed. More than 150 homes have been destroyed, three people have died, and two firefighters were seriously injured by a falling tree.

The activities of the firefighters have been affected due to wind speeds, especially in the ranges.

People were warned by the NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner “to leave, leave early and go to safer locations, safer towns or safer places such as shopping centres.”

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast temperatures in the high 30s, with winds up to 65km per hour in some parts, across the danger areas.

Climate change

Bush fires has been a topic under discussion and the overwhelming scientific consensus is that Australia’s bushfire season is growing longer and more intense because of climate change.

The Bureau of Meteorology stated in a 2018 report that climate change has seen an increase in extreme heat events and in the severity of natural disasters, including drought.

In the past four months, northern New South Wales and southern Queensland has experienced a historically severe drought.

“There has been a long-term increase in extreme fire weather and in the length of the fire season across large parts of Australia since the 1950s ... Climate change, including increasing temperatures, is contributing to these changes,” the report said.

Ready for Christmas