2023–24 Australian bushfire season

In August, over 70 blazes were already active in New South Wales leading to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service announcing an early start to the fire danger season in most of the north of the state.[1]

On 19 September, an 'Extreme' fire danger warning was issued for the Far South Coast region of New South Wales, causing 29 schools to be closed. Strengthening winds resulted in the warning later being upgraded to 'Catastrophic'.[7]

From the start of October New South Wales has began to see frequent Total Fire Bans and significant fires. The first widespread Total Fire Ban was declared for nine regions across New South Wales on 1 October.[8] Significant fires have occurred throughout the state, predominately in the Mid West/North Coast. However, fires of significance have also occurred in the Bega Valley and the Hunter Valley. Combined these fires brunt over 43,195 ha (106,352 acres), destroying 13 homes and claiming the lives of 2.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On 3 October, a fire started burning in Coolagolite in the Bega Valley. Due to strong winds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph), the fire quickly spread leading to emergency warnings being issued in Bermagui and surrounding towns. By 5 October, the fire was largely brought after control after burning nearly 7,000 ha (17,300 acres) of bushland and destroying 2 homes and 14 outbuildings.[9][10] Another fire broke out on 3 October in Kearsley, south-east of Cessnock in the Hunter Valley, burning over 190 ha (470 acres).[11] Both of these fires required the newly bought NSW RFS Chinook and the 737 Large Air Tanker (LAT). Further resources from Queensland were lent to the NSW RFS to bring the fires under control.[12] A further fire broke out on October 3 at Home Rule, between Mudgee & Gulgong in the state's Mid West. The fire generated widespread emergency warning to surrounding communities and burnt through hundreds of hectares, destroying one home and several outbuildings.[13][14][15]

On 13 October firefighters saved ten houses from an out of control emergency level fire at Wallangara near Ashford which burnt over 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres).[16]

On 14 October the NSW RFS confirmed the death of a volunteer firefighter in Kyogle region, while fighting the Bean Creek fire which burnt over 1,100 hectares (2,273 acres).[17]

On 16 October widespread extreme fire dangers were issued due to widespread high temperatures and high winds upwards of 100 km/h (62 mph). Were multiple fires broke out across the state, most noticeably in the state's Mid West and Mid North Coast where The Cope fire near Gulgong, the Upper Horseshoe Creek fire near Kyogle, the Bayshore Drive fire near Byron Bay, the Booral Road fire near Girvan, and the Rocky River Road fire near Tenterfield, New South Wales began. These fires quickly reached emergency warning levels, prompting widespread evacuations. Collectively these fires burnt over 2,905 hectares (7,178 acres).[18] The Booral Road fire has destroyed 1 home, while the Rocky River Road fire has destroyed 3 homes.[19] On the same day the Willi Willi Road fire broke out of containment lines in the Willi Willi National Park west of Kempsey, New South Wales which then burnt over 30,000 hectares (74,131 acres). Fire crews reported that the fire exhibited "extraordinary" behavior similar to the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season. Numerous properties are believed to have been lost, with 7 homes being confirmed destroyed with one confirmed deceased.[20]

On 25 October The Glens Creek Rd Fire near Nymboida, New South Wales developed a rare Cumulonimbus flammagenitus, Also known as a fire thunderstorm.[21]

Satellite image of Gippsland Fires as of 1 October.

On 1 October, four major bushfires began burning in the eastern Victorian region of Gippsland. A large blaze near Briagolong resulted in the town and its surrounds being evacuated, while emergency warnings were issued for residents in proximity of other fires in Loch Sport and Rawson. Strong winds in the region resulted in the fires spreading rapidly and burning out of control.[22] By the following day, one house and several other outbuildings and sheds had been destroyed. Damage to power lines also left around 2,000 properties without power around the Loch Sport area. Heavy rain across the state on 3 October helped to bring the flames under control, by which time the fires had burnt a combined total of over 20,000 ha (49,500 acres) of bushland.[23][24]

On 1 October, a fire began burning in Mount Tanner on Flinders Island, before spreading rapidly out of control and threatening the communities of Leeka and Pine Scrub. Nearby residents were advised to evacuate. [25]

On 14 August Bushfires NT chief issued a warning that the of the Northern Territory could lose up to 80% per cent of the territory by March.[26]

On 4 September, a large fire began burning in the Barkly Tablelands, rapidly spreading out of control and threatening isolated cattle farms.[27] On 11 September, residents in Tennant Creek were warned to prepare for the fire's arrival, after a significant edge of the fire spread 60 km towards the township over a 24 hour period.[28] The efforts of firefighters prevented Tennant Creek from being impacted. By 17 October, the fire had burnt over 2.8 million ha (7 million acres).[29] The fire took 51 days to be declared out which occurred on October 18.

On 6 October South Australia announce the start of their bushfire season for six districts 2 weeks earlier than normal due to below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures causing significant grass loads to dry out, leading to an earlier and increased risk of fire.[30]

On 7 October a large and dangerous began burning in Shire of Gingin, with a emergency warning being issued to residents to act immediately to survive and leave the area.[31]

On 24 October a fire broke out in Kings Park, Western Australia which threatened properties and lives, including the Perth Children's Hospital. The fire was suspected to of been sparked by an arsonist.[32]

On 7 October, a large and dangerous fire began in the Duckinwilla, Queensland area. A emergency warning was issued and local media was instructed to use the standard emergency warning signal to alert those in the vicinity, a measure reserved for the most serious and life-threatening scenarios.[33]

A fire near Mount French was contained on 13 October, after emergency warnings issued earlier to communities around the area were downgraded. The fire destroyed two sheds. A second fire in the Western Downs region also prompted emergency warnings, but was also downgraded by that night.[34]

On October 14 due to widespread high temperatures and high winds, a fire ban was issued for various regions in South East Queensland, including Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, and the Scenic Rim, these conditions continued into the following day were a fire broke out in the Deepwater, Queensland on 15 October which has burnt over 3,600 ha (8,895 acres) with 2 houses confirmed to be lost.[35]

Two large bushfires broke out on October 22 in Southern Queensland located near Toowoomba which has since destroyed at least 16 homes.[36] On October 25 it was confirmed 2 people have died.[37]

Fire Danger Ratings - Fire Behaviour Index - FBI

No Danger: <12

Moderate: 12-23

High: 24-49

Extreme: 50-99

Catastrophic: 100+

The 2023–24 bushfire season is the first full fire season with the AFDRS fully implemented, and as such has faced significant problems. An investigation revealed that the highly detailed data required for the system to produce accurate fire danger ratings was unavailable, leading to erroneous predictions. The issue has since been resolved, although authorities have acknowledged areas for improvement on the new system.

On 4 September, the AFDRS incorrectly predicted a 'Catastrophic' fire danger rating for southern Queensland.[39]