Western Sydney University experts available to discuss bushfire concerns following Los Angeles fires
As bushfires devastate Los Angeles, Western Sydney University experts are available to comment on the topic including considerations for Australians who are in the middle of a very hot summer.
Adjunct Associate Professor Karleen Gribble, School of Nursing and Midwifery, young children and families in emergencies
Adjunct Associate Professor Gribble is a world-leading researcher on infants and young children in emergencies and has been involved in research, policy development and training in this area since 2006. She conducted the first comprehensive study of the experiences of families with babies and toddlers of an Australian disaster with the Babies and Young Children in the Black Summer (BiBS) Study.
“The LA fires demonstrate the perils of late evacuation with people getting stuck in traffic jams and having to flee on foot. We have experienced similar situations in Australia before and will experience it again. It is particularly important that those who are more vulnerable plan to leave early in the event of a disaster. This includes pregnant women and parents with babies and toddlers.”
“We know that caring for children means that everything takes longer, this includes packing for evacuation.
“Parents need to be making a disaster plan now, including planning to leave early, packing an evacuation kit for their child, and arranging to evacuate to a friend or family member's home rather than an evacuation centre if possible.”
The Australian Breastfeeding Association, in partnership with the BiBS Study, has developed valuable resources, including quick preparation guides and evacuation kit lists tailored to parents of young children. For more information, visit Australian Breastfeeding Association Emergency Resources (opens in a new window).
For further insights, read Adjunct Associate Professor Gribble’s recently published paper on the experiences and support for caregivers during the 2019-2020 bushfires: Experiences and Support for Caregivers of Infants and Young Children (opens in a new window).
Associate Professor Ian Wright, School of Science, water quality and ecological impact
Associate Professor Wright teaches classes in water science and management, environmental planning and environmental regulation. He has been a water scientist for more than 30 years and now leads a small team that conducts high-impact and highly engaged research that addresses water resource sustainability issues. He has published research on the water quality and ecological impact of wildfires on streams and high conservation-value peat wetlands in the Blue Mountains area, including the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
“Much of NSW and the Sydney, Illawarra and Blue Mountains has had lots of rain over the last few years. With the hot weather over the last few weeks - this means that much of that flourishing plant growth is now drying out. Along with the hot weather there has also been increased leaf and bark shedding. The build-up of such highly flammable material can make bushfire conditions at your home much worse.”
“I recommend that people update their bushfire plans - and clear away flammable objects from around the house. This includes cleaning accumulated sticks, leaves and bark from house gutters and around your house.”
"Now that we have had some rain and the temperatures are cooler, right now might be a good opportunity to prepare your property before there is another blast of hot and dry weather".
Dr Thomas Longden, Urban Transformations Research Centre, temperature and energy
Dr Thomas Longden is a senior researcher at Western Sydney University's Urban Transformations Research Centre (UTRC). His work on temperature-related mortality and temperature-related energy insecurity has been published in leading international journals, including Nature Energy, and Climatic Change.
"One of the most confronting impacts of extreme heat is the risk of deaths and ill health from hot weather. Heat stress can exacerbate existing health conditions including diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. Older people are particularly vulnerable."
"Heat is more dangerous than the cold in most Australian regions. Over 36,000 deaths in Australia between 2006 and 2017 were due to the heat. That is 2 per cent of all deaths. In the three warmer climate zones this number was higher, ranging from 4.5 per cent to 9.1 per cent of deaths. In the coldest climate zone, 3.6 per cent of deaths were due to the cold and the heat was less dangerous."
"National mortality records in Australia suggest substantial under-reporting of heat-related mortality. Less than 0·1% of 1·7 million deaths between 2006 and 2017 were attributed directly or indirectly to excessive natural heat. However, the estimates above (36,000 deaths) indicates that official records underestimate the association at least 50-fold."
"Heatwaves that are 7.26℃ above the 30-day average can also be deadly. A lack of acclimatisation can make some heatwaves more dangerous than others due to the physiological impact on people's thermoregulation. This helps to explain why heat events can be deadly in more temperate regions. These unexpected heat events mean that people get caught out and are not ready for hotter conditions."
"Temperature extremes will increase the demand for electricity due to the need to cool homes, which can become an expense that places greater pressure on already stretched budgets. The type of billing will change how this energy affordability issue affects households."
ENDS
8 January 2025
Photo credit: Matt Palmer via Unsplash
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