Bushfires in Australia are caused by a combination of natural and human factors. The predominant natural cause is lightning strikes, which ignite fires especially in remote areas. However, the majority of bushfires are human-caused, either accidentally through activities like discarded cigarettes, unattended campfires, sparks from equipment or powerlines, and burn-offs, or deliberately by arson. Weather conditions play a crucial role, with hot, dry climates, droughts, strong winds, low humidity, and high temperatures creating ideal conditions for fires to ignite and spread rapidly. The presence of dry vegetation (fuel load) significantly influences fire intensity, with dry, compacted fuels burning faster and more intensely. Climate change is also a major factor, making bushfire seasons longer, hotter, and drier, thus increasing both the likelihood and severity of bushfires. Recent catastrophic fires have been linked to prolonged drought and elevated temperatures, which dry out vegetation and soil, creating tinderbox conditions. Additionally, topography such as slope angle affects fire spread, with fires moving faster uphill. Fires may also spread by 'spotting,' where embers are carried by wind to ignite new fires far from the original source. Together, these factors create a highly fire-prone environment in Australia that leads to frequent and often severe bushfires.
