BUSHFIRE NATURAL HAZARDS Natural Hazards and Natural Disasters

BUSHFIRE - NATURAL HAZARDS

Natural Hazards and Natural Disasters • There are four main types of Natural Hazards: • Atmospheric • Hydrological • Geological • Biological

Natural Hazards and Natural Disasters Some communities are more vulnerable to Natural Hazards. Vulnerability depends on: • Location • Size of the natural hazard • Potential damage

Natural Hazards and Natural Disasters Natural Hazards can be managed by: • Being prepared for the hazard • Preventing the hazard • Recognising and responding to the hazard

Natural Hazard Cyclones Bushfires Severe Storms Floods Location in Australia Northern Australia, in the tropics, along the coast Southern Australia, along the coastlines and where there is lots of vegetation and little rain. Eastern coastline, central Australia, western coastline Most of Australia – greater frequency near coastlines

Type of hazard Definition Examples Atmospheric A hazard which occurs mainly in the air surrounding earth Cyclones, hailstorms, blizzards, bushfires Hydrological A hazard which is mostly related to water Flooding, wave action, glaciers Geological A hazard which is related Earthquakes, volcanoes to soil and rocks Biological A hazard which is related Disease epidemics, to living organisms plagues (creatures) Technological A hazard related to new technologies. Accidents, explosions, hazardous materials Human A hazard caused by human beings. War, crowd stampede, terrorism

Bushfire – a Natural Hazard? A Natural hazard is a potential cause of harm to a community. A Natural disaster is a hazard that has caused harm to a community. A bushfire can be both a natural and a human hazard because they can be caused by nature (e. g. lightning) or humans (e. g. cigarette butt).

Bushfires • A bushfire is a fire burning out of control in the open. • Surface bushfires: burn in grass, low shrubs and ground litter. They can travel at high speeds but are relatively easy to control • Crown bushfires: occur when heat and flames from a surface fire ignite the crown of trees.