Bushfires In Australia Research Articles

AN ENDOSCOPY-GUIDED TECHNIQUE FOR THE COLLECTION OF MICROBIOLOGY SAMPLES FROM THE TRACHEA OF COMMON WOMBATS (VOMBATUS URSINUS).

Respiratory infections are common in young wombats and determining the causative agent is critical to establish an appropriate treatment. A group of 12 young, wild common wombats (Vombatus ursinus) ranging from 6 to 10 kg developed a range of respiratory signs after being in care following the severe bushfires in Australia in early 2020. The oral anatomy of wombats makes collection of tracheal samples difficult. An endoscopy-guided technique was established to collect microbiology samples aseptically from the anesthetized patients. A guarded, sterile swab was introduced in the mouth and inserted into the trachea of two wombats, visualizing the procedure with the endoscope. A similar technique is described for endotracheal intubation of small mammals. This approach allowed for a safe and aseptic sampling collection. A pure growth of Escherichia coli was cultured from the samples, and appropriate antibiotic treatment was established according to the antimicrobial sensitivity test.

Simulating the Impact of Bushfires in Australia on Local Air Quality and Aerosol Burden in the Southern Hemisphere

Simulating the Impact of Bushfires in Australia on Local Air Quality and Aerosol Burden in the Southern Hemisphere

Dynamic distribution modelling of the swamp tigertail dragonflySynthemis eustalacta(Odonata: Anisoptera: Synthemistidae) over a 20‐year bushfire regime

AbstractIntensity and severity of bushfires in Australia have increased over the past few decades due to climate change, threatening habitat loss for numerous species. Although the impact of bushfires on vertebrates is well‐documented, the corresponding effects on insect taxa are rarely examined, although they are responsible for key ecosystem functions and services. Understanding the effects of bushfire seasons on insect distributions could elucidate long‐term impacts and patterns of ecosystem recovery.Here, the authors investigated the effects of recent bushfires, land‐cover change, and climatic variables on the distribution of a common and endemic dragonfly, the swamp tigertail (Synthemis eustalacta) (Burmeister, 1839), which inhabits forests that have recently undergone severe burning. The authors used a temporally dynamic species distribution modelling approach that incorporated 20 years of community‐science data on dragonfly occurrence and predictors based on fire, land cover, and climate to make yearly predictions of suitability. The authors also compared this to an approach that combines multiple temporally static models that use annual data.The authors found that for both approaches, fire‐specific variables had negligible importance for the models, while the percentage of tree and non‐vegetative cover were most important. The authors also found that the dynamic model outperformed the static ones, based on cross‐validation omission rate. Model predictions indicated temporal variation in area and spatial arrangement of suitable habitat, but no patterns of habitat expansion, contraction, or shifting.These results highlight not only the efficacy of dynamic modelling to capture spatiotemporal variables such as vegetation cover for an endemic insect species, but also provide a novel approach to mapping species distributions with sparse locality records.

The Coupling of Soil Water and Leaf Phenology Observed by Satellite During Australian Bushfires in 2019–2020

AbstractWater and energy fluxes at the interface between the surface of the earth and the atmosphere depend strongly on soil moisture. Surface soil moisture (SSM) participates in natural phenomena such as evaporation, infiltration and runoff. From 2019 to 2020, bushfires in Australia caused changes in the runoff of surface water, the transpiration of vegetation, and evapotranspiration of the soil, subsequently affecting the soil water cycle. However, the dynamics of surface soil water content during large‐scale bushfires are still not completely understood. Here, we report on patterns of seasonal variation in SSM and vegetation leaf phenology in Australia, identified using L‐band radiometric measurements of soil moisture taken by the soil moisture and ocean salinity mission from 2011 to 2020. This study reveals a decrease in the leaf area index in affected regions of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. The observed seasonal variations in SSM are highly synchronous with those of leaf phenology in northern and northeastern Australia. However, the development of the leaf area lags behind that of SSM for up to 90 days in the southeastern subtropical woodlands. The time lag between leaf area development and SSM in the southwest is about 60 days. Bushfires can lead to the decrease of evapotranspiration hence shortening the time lag between SSM and leaf phenology. Our results offer insights into the variations in SSM during bushfires, the relationship between SSM and leaf phenology in Australia, and lay a foundation for improving models of ecological hydrology during bushfires.

Air pollution and health outcomes: Evidence from Black Saturday Bushfires in Australia

This paper presents new evidence of the causal effect of air pollution on Australian health outcomes, using the Black Saturday bushfires (BSB) in 2009 as a natural experiment. This event was one of the largest bushfires in Australian history and emitted approximately four million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. We use data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamic Australia (HILDA) panel and compare the health status of individuals who were living in affected and unaffected regions before and after the event. Using a triple differences procedure, we further examine whether a difference in vulnerability to bushfire smoke exists comparing people living in urban or regional areas. We find that ambient air pollution had significant negative effects on health and that the magnitudes were actually larger for individuals residing in urban areas.

Coping styles and mental health outcomes of community members affected by black summer 2019-20 bushfires in Australia.

The aim of this study was to investigate coping styles, posttraumatic stress, and mental health symptoms among a sample of community members affected by 2019-20 Australian bushfires. Using a convenience sampling approach, an online survey was used to assess a range of coping strategies, posttraumatic stress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among the affected community members of Black Summer bushfires. The results revealed that study participants reported moderate symptoms of depression and stress, and severe levels of anxiety. Additionally, participants reported use of both approach and avoidance coping strategies following the bushfire event as well as experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress, such as having intrusive thoughts and symptoms of avoidance and hyperarousal. Despite the durability of many individuals, others remain affected by the event and there is evidence there may be longer term mental health consequences of the bushfires for some people. Given these findings, it is imperative that mental health services be readily available for people in the bushfire-affected areas. Mental health nurses have an important role to play in supporting individuals affected by disasters. Awareness of the short- and long-term impacts of disasters on the mental health of people is paramount for mental health nurses.

Disaster recovery as disorientation and reorientation

ABSTRACT As research on disasters in the tourism context matures, a more holistic understanding of how businesses and communities can recover is needed. Using the disorientation and reorientation framework, this study explores recovery as a place-based process. The perceptions and memories of key stakeholders of Binna Burra Lodge, which was affected by the 2019–2020 bushfires in Australia, are investigated and the analysis reveals two themes of disorientation and four of reorientation. It is proposed that various reorientation mechanisms can be deliberately activated to foster a smoother recovery process. Furthermore, this study shows that tourism-enabled social capital can assist disaster recovery in communities and that, through embracing traditional heritage, communities can not only deal with the loss but also prepare for future disasters.

Supporting Volunteer Firefighter Well-Being: Lessons from the Australian "Black Summer" Bushfires.

The 2019-2020 "Black Summer" bushfires in Australia focused the attention of the nation on the critical role that volunteer firefighters play in the response to such a disaster, spurring a national conversation about how to best support those on the frontline. The objective of this research was to explore the impact of the Black Summer bushfires on volunteer firefighter well-being and to investigate how to deliver effective well-being support. An explorative qualitative design underpinned by a phenomenological approach was applied. Participant recruitment followed a multi-modal sampling strategy and data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Qualitative data were collected from 58 participants aged from 23 to 61-years-of-age (average age of 46 years). All self-reported as volunteer firefighters who had responded to the Black Summer bushfires in Australia. Just over 80% of participants were male and the majority lived in the Australian states of New South Wales (65%) and Victoria (32%). All participants reported impact on their well-being, resulting from cumulative trauma exposure, responding to fires in local communities, intense work demands, minimal intervals between deployments, and disruption to primary employment. In regard to supporting well-being, four key themes emerged from data analysis: (1) Well-being support needs to be both proactive and reactive and empower local leaders to "reach in" while encouraging responders to "reach out;" (2) Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) should not be the only well-being support option available; (3) The sharing of lived experience is important; and (4) Support programs need to address self-stigmatization. Participants in this research identified that effective well-being support needs to be both proactive and reactive and holistic in approach.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE EIA NOTIFICATION 2020, AND WHY IT IS CRITICAL

India isn't resistant to the impacts of environmental change, which influences the whole world. More than one million animals were killed during the bushfires in Australia. Massive amounts of methane are being released due to the melting of permafrost in Siberia, melting of glaciers in the Himalayas, as well as massive deforestation in the Amazon. All these factors are stressing our environment, and we are witnessing the effects worldwide. Also, in India, there are major environmental projects that threaten ecosystems, for example, the Dibang Valley hydropower project and numerous others. Generally, the main objective of an Environmental Impact Assessment notification is to protect the environment and reduce environmental impact, especially when the environment conflicts with development. In addition, it safeguards the health and safety of those connected to the environment. The purpose of this manuscript is to examine the role of Environmental Impact Assessments in the protection of the environment. Aside from studying the differences between the EIA Notification 2006 and the draft 2020 EIA Notification draft, we have also taken a closer look at the most pertinent issues and concerns regarding this 2020 EIA Notification draft.

Men’s role in violence against women in disasters: studies in Iran and Australia

Sexual violence is largely absent from studies on violence against women in disasters. The role of men in perpetrating violence against women is overlooked or excused and women are usually blamed in both countries. A review of 2 studies of men’s violence against women after floods and earthquakes in Iran and bushfires in Australia show remarkable similarities. Although cultural contexts and the way gender inequality is established and demonstrated are different, these studies reveal unexpected parallels. The context of disaster lays it bare. Participants of both studies were disaster-affected people in Iran and Australia who revealed the taboos that prevent women speaking of violence that is exacerbated in a disaster context. Men play important roles in preventing and responding to violence against women as the result of their responsibilities and positions at the household and community levels. The objective of this paper was to compare the findings from these studies and consider the difficulties faced in conducting studies related to the roles of men and women roles during and after disaster events.

Conservation after Sovereignty: Deconstructing Australian Policies against Horses with a Plea and Proposal

AbstractConservation scholarship and policies are concerned with the viability of idealized ecological communities constructed using human metrics. We argue that the discipline of conservation assumes an epistemology and ethics of human sovereignty/dominion over animals that leads to violent actions against animals. We substantiate our argument by deconstructing a case study. In the context of recent bushfires in Australia, we examine recent legislation passed by the parliament of New South Wales (NSW), policy documents, and academic articles by conservationists that support breaking communities of horses and/or killing 4,000 horses in Kosciuszko National Park (KNP), NSW. Theoretically framing our deconstruction against human sovereignty over animals and anthropocentrism, we affirm an intersectional, ecofeminist approach that values animals as relational and vulnerable agents. We uncover first the epistemic violence of categorizing horses as “pests,” and the anthropocentric nature of recently passed legislation in NSW. We analyze next the deficient ethics of NSW's government, and the argument that killing animals is justifiable when they suffer from starvation and dehydration. We close with a realistic proposal that does not involve breaking horses’ communities and/or killing horses, and a plea to the government of NSW and conservationists not to harm any horses in KNP.

Excess emergency department visits for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases during the 2019–20 bushfire period in Australia: A two-stage interrupted time-series analysis

The health effects of the unprecedented bushfires in Australia in 2019–20 have not been fully examined. We aimed to examine the excess emergency department (ED) visits related to the 2019–20 bushfires in New South Wales (NSW). We obtained weekly data of ED visits for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in all the 28 Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) regions in NSW during the bushfire seasons from 2017 to 2020. A two-stage interrupted time-series analysis was applied to quantify the excess risk for ED visits in 2019–20. The total number of excess ED visits, excess percentages, and their empirical confidence intervals (eCIs) were calculated to estimate the impacts of the bushfire season. A total of 416,057 records of cardiorespiratory ED visits were included in our analysis. The bushfire season in 2019–20 was significantly associated with a 6.0% increase (95% eCI: 1.9, 10.3) in ED visits for respiratory diseases and a 10.0% increase (95% eCI: 5.0, 15.2) for cardiovascular diseases, corresponding to 6177 (95% eCI: 1989, 10,166) and 3120 (95% eCI: 1628, 4544) excess ED visits, respectively. The percentage of excess ED visits was higher in regions with lower SES and high fire density. In the context of climate change, more targeted strategies should be developed to prevent adverse bushfire effects and recover from such extreme environmental events.

Elevated particulate methanesulfonate, oxalate and iron over Sydney Harbour in the austral summer of 2019-20 during unprecedented bushfire activity

In the austral summer period, Dec 7, 2019 to Mar 1, 2020, which included unprecedented bushfire activity, total suspended particulate concentrations of methanesulfonate (MSA), oxalate, labile iron, SO42−, Cl−, Na+, K+, NH4+, water soluble solids (WSS) and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were measured from weekly filter samples at Seaforth on the northern edge of Sydney Harbour. Particle number concentrations (PNC) and meteorological conditions were also measured at hourly intervals. These entities were previously measured in the spring-summer period, Sep 30, 2018 to Feb 24, 2019. Data analysis is focussed on inter-comparison between the summer of 2018–19 (S1) and 2019–20 (S2) spanning the period 7 Dec to 24 Feb. During S2 seasonally averaged MSA, oxalate, labile iron, K+, PNC (0.5–2.5 μm), and WSOC were elevated by 102%, 57%, 64%, 72%, 108%, and 1907%, respectively, by comparison to S1. Aqueous phase secondary formation of oxalate and a marine source of MSA were evident during S1; however, during S2 it was indicated that the bushfires created conditions where oxalate formation was shifted away from aqueous phase processing and MSA became associated with bushfire generated WSOC aerosol. Correlation changes at the a = 0.05 significance level between S1 and S2 for MSA, and for oxalate, are examined and discussed in relation to effects apparently caused by the bushfires. It is indicated that the biogeochemical cycling of sulfur and carbon, and particulate deposition of iron micronutrient to the South Pacific Ocean, may be altered by bushfires in Australia.

Catastrophic Bushfires, Indigenous Fire Knowledge and Reframing Science in Southeast Australia

The catastrophic 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires were the worst fire season in the recorded history of Southeast Australia. These bushfires were one of several recent global conflagrations across landscapes that are homelands of Indigenous peoples, homelands that were invaded and colonised by European nations over recent centuries. The subsequent suppression and cessation of Indigenous landscape management has had profound social and environmental impacts. The Black Summer bushfires have brought Indigenous cultural burning practices to the forefront as a potential management tool for mitigating climate-driven catastrophic bushfires in Australia. Here, we highlight new research that clearly demonstrates that Indigenous fire management in Southeast Australia produced radically different landscapes and fire regimes than what is presently considered “natural”. We highlight some barriers to the return of Indigenous fire management to Southeast Australian landscapes. We argue that to adequately address the potential for Indigenous fire management to inform policy and practice in managing Southeast Australian forest landscapes, scientific approaches must be decolonized and shift from post-hoc engagement with Indigenous people and perspectives to one of collaboration between Indigenous communities and scientists.

Wildfire exposure {in utero} and use of respiratory medications in early childhood

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Wildfire smoke exposure is a growing concern as wildfires escalate in the western U.S. and abroad (bushfires in Australia). While gestational particulate matter exposure has been linked to increased incidence of childhood respiratory diseases, this association has not been examined with respect to wildfire smoke. Here, we use prescription claims data to investigate the relationship of childhood respiratory illness and in utero exposure to wildfire smoke. METHODS: The cohort consisted of infants (N182,000), born (2010-16) in one of the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or Montana and followed up to 8 years. We required had continuous prescription coverage and estimable birthdates via claims data in IBM’s MarketScan Commercial Claims Database. Our two outcomes were filled prescriptions of ‘upper respiratory’ and ‘lower respiratory’ medications. Using prescription claims, pediatric respiratory drugs (e.g., fluticasone, albuterol) were classified as ‘upper respiratory’ or ‘lower respiratory’ based on active ingredients, mode of administration, and drug class. Wildfire exposure, classified as number of smoke days during each trimester, for each MSA was determined from National Oceanic Atmospheric Association's Hazard Mapping System. First, second, and third trimesters were defined as 280-197, 196-99, and 1-98 days before estimated birthdate, respectively. We used proportional hazards models to assess the relationship of trimester-specific in utero wildfire smoke exposure and first use of respiratory medication. Models are adjusted for sex, birth season, birthyear, meteorological variables, and seasonality. RESULTS:Preliminary results suggest that gestational wildfire smoke is associated with both upper and lower respiratory medication usage during childhood. These associations are modified by season of birth and may differ by birthyear. Sensitivity analyses will account for preterm birth. CONCLUSIONS:Our results suggest that incidence of childhood respiratory illness, as indicated by respiratory medication usage, is impacted by in utero exposure to wildfire smoke. This abstract does not necessarily represent EPA policy. KEYWORDS: Air pollution, Wildfires, Children's environmental health, Respiratory outcomes, Natural disasters, Climate

Synergistic triad of crisis management: leadership, knowledge management and organizational learning

PurposeThe prevalence of instability and crises in organizational ecosystems seems to be on the increase, with an upward trend in the occurrence of, for example, natural disasters, such as tornadoes in America, bushfires in Australia and the widespread outbreak of diseases, e.g., Covid-19. As contexts of crisis increase in frequency, the ability of organizations to adapt and effectively respond to crises has become a key necessity for organizational survival and continuity. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the repercussions of crises may be curtailed through a multidimensional crisis management approach.Design/methodology/approachThis paper applies a narrative literature review and concept mapping to synthesize and establish relationships between the literature in the domains of leadership, knowledge management, learning and contexts of crisis. The output of this methodological orientation is the Integrated Crisis Management Framework, presenting a conceptualized overview of the symbiotic and intertwined manner through which leadership, knowledge management and learning contribute towards effective crisis management.FindingsAccording to the analysis and the conceptual underpinnings of this paper, in contexts of crisis, leadership is generally responsible for aggregating crisis management strategies and establishing employee motivation. Knowledge management, on the other hand, provides the infrastructure necessary for calculated yet rapid decision-making. Similarly, in times of crisis, learning is a prerequisite for the development of a “learningful” organization, which contributes towards crisis management by serving as the organization's “memory” – where lessons learned from previous crises suffice to guide future crisis response.Originality/valueThe literature in crisis management reveals that existing crisis management models and frameworks generally consider crisis from a unidimensional perspective, neglecting to account for the multifaceted nature of crises, and the numerous attributes necessary to overcome contexts of crisis. To address this gap in the literature, this paper proposes a multidimensional conceptualization of crisis management through combining three core elements, including leadership, learning and knowledge management. The novelty of this paper is an Integrated Crisis Management Framework, and eight empirical propositions, which act as an impetus for future research.

Dispatches from the age of fire

In 2019–2020, fires ravaged large areas of Australia devastating land, infrastructure and human and non-human lives. While Australia has a history of fires and fire management, large regions of the eastern states were devastated by super fires fueled by their own weather, and changes to the climate. However, Australian governments, political and business leaders continue to invest in fossil fuels and disregard the impact of the climate crisis. Meanwhile, the nation is at a tipping point due to the effects of global heating, extreme weather events, natural disasters and biodiversity loss. This article explores the climate crisis through a discussion of first-hand accounts of people directly affected by the 2019–2020 bushfires in Australia. These harrowing and philosophical accounts of the fires were gleaned from poetry, videos, websites and non-fiction sources and demonstrate the human lived experiences of the climate crisis and how we can move forward for climate justice.

On the idea of the planetary

The notion of the planetary allows us to distinguish between the global of globalisation and the global of global warming. Globalisation is the process through which humans created the world we live in, how we converted the planet into a spherical human domain, at the centre of which are the human stories of technology, empires, capitalism and inequality. Global warming is what has resulted at the planetary level as intensified human consumption of the globe's resources has turned humanity into a geological agent of change. The global is 500 years old, while the planetary is as old as the age of the earth. The physical world has its own deep history: over time it has experienced profound changes. If climate change is to be addressed this mutability must be recognised – the unchanging nature of the world can no longer be taken for granted. The interview covers the rise of atmospheric sciences during the Cold War, when the Earth became, effectively, part of a comparative study of planets; the relationship between Marxism and the idea of 'deep history'; the human-made ecological disaster of bush-fires in Australia; the influence of Rohith Vemula and Rabindranath Tagore on planetary thinking and ideas about connectivity; biopower, zoe and the pandemic; and the difficulty of thinking politically about deep history.

Responding to Climate Change Disaster

Abstract. Climate change-induced disasters (e.g., bushfires, droughts, and flooding) occur more frequently and with greater intensity than in previous decades. Disasters can at times fuel social change but that is not guaranteed. To understand whether disasters lead to status quo maintenance or social change, we propose a model (Social Identity Model of Post-Disaster Action; SIMPDA) which focuses on the role of leadership in the aftermath of a disaster. Looking specifically at climate change-related disasters, we propose that intragroup and intergroup dynamics in both the pre-disaster as well as the post-disaster context affect whether leadership (a) has the potential to mobilize social identity resources to enable social change, or else (b) fails to capitalize on emerging social identity resources in ways that ultimately maintain the status quo. Given the importance of urgent climate change action, we predict that status quo maintenance is associated with post-disaster paralysis. In contrast, social change that is set in train by capitalizing on social identity-based resources holds the promise of greater post-disaster learning and enhanced disaster preparedness when it is focused on addressing the challenges brought about by climate change. We apply this model to understand responses to the 2019/2020 bushfires in Australia. Our analysis suggests that while an emerging sense of shared identity centered on acting to tackle climate change provides a window of opportunity for securing increased disaster preparedness, this opportunity risks being missed due to, among other things, the absence of leaders able and willing to engage in constructive identity-based leadership.

Using the Food Stress Index for Emergency Food Assistance: An Australian Case Series Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Natural Disasters.

Food insecurity increases with human and natural disasters. Two tools were developed to assist effective food relief in Western Australia: the Food Stress Index (similar to rental stress, predicts the likelihood of household food insecurity by geographic location) and a basic and nutritious Food Basket Recommendation (that quantifies the types and amounts of food to meet dietary recommendations for different family types). This study aims to understand and compare the processes and impact of using these tools for organisations and their clients involved in emergency food assistance and/or disaster preparedness. A multiple case-study design analysed organisation’s use of the tools to assist the response to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the catastrophic bushfires in Australia. Qualitative interviews were conducted by telephone and Zoom (a cloud-based video conferencing service) in July–August 2020. A purposeful sample of eight interviewees representing seven cases (government, food relief and community organisations involved in emergency food assistance and/or disaster preparedness). Three themes emerged from the analysis, (1) organisations are confident users of the tools; (2) Collaborations were “Ready to Go” and (3) Food Stress Index is a “game changer”. Findings demonstrate the intrinsic value of the tools in the provision of emergency food relief under both normal circumstances and in times of increased need, i.e., COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlights the value and importance of ongoing intersectoral collaborations for food relief and food security (e.g., the Western Australian Food Relief Framework) and suggests that upscaling of the Food Stress Index and food baskets will increase the effectiveness of measures to address food insecurity in Australia.