<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/05/outskirts-of-australian-cities-at-risk-of-catastrophic-fires-on-scale-of-deadly-la-blazes-study-finds>
"Many Australian cities share common traits that made the deadly 2025 Los
Angeles fires so destructive, according to analysis into whether a similar
disaster could occur here in future.
At least 6.9 million Australians living on the fringes of capital cities were
at risk, according to a report by the Climate Council and Emergency Leaders for
Climate Action, challenging assumptions that bushfires are a regional or rural
concern.
Residents on the outskirts of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and
Hobart were exposed, the report said, particularly in suburbs bordered by bush
or grassland.
It estimated that up to 90% of homes in these areas were built before modern
bushfire standards – making ignition due to ember attack and house-to-house
fire spread more likely.
The findings were a “wake up call”, said former NSW fire commissioner and
report co-author Greg Mullins.
“If you live in suburbia and think bushfires don’t concern you, think again.”
The warning came amid forecasts for extreme fire danger across parts of South
Australia and Victoria this week, with southern states facing the most
significant heatwave conditions since black summer."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
