bushfires

blaze

Intense burning fire

• flamesVisible burning combustion
• conflagrationLarge destructive blaze
• firestormSelf-perpetuating intense blaze

raging · roaring · engulfing · inferno · crowning · spotting · fireball · explosive · unstoppable · ferocity

drought

Prolonged water scarcity

• lightningAtmospheric electrical discharge
• vegetationPlant life collectively
• eucalyptusAromatic Australian timber tree

scrubland · regrowth · regeneration · germination · fuel load · understory · canopy · habitat loss · wildlife · koalas

evacuation

Removal from danger

• firefightersEmergency personnel combating blazes
• sirensEmergency vehicle noisemakers
• reliefEasing of distress

shelter · crisis · rescue · brigade · firetrucks · volunteers · emergency services · warning · alert · flee

devastation

Severe widespread destruction

• infernoDevastating, uncontrollable blaze
• catastropheDevastating, large-scale misfortune
• scorchedBurned on surface

charred · ravage · desolation · annihilation · obliteration · decimation · wreckage · consumption · defoliation · aftermath

haze

Murky atmospheric suspension

• ashCombustion's powdery remains
• air qualityPollution level measurement
• particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets

smog · soot · visibility · respiratory · inhalation · fumes · smoke plume · acrid · mask · choking

containment

Preventing hostile expansion

• firebreakCleared barrier against flames
• backburnDeliberate fire to remove fuel
• firelineCleared strip blocking flames

hotspot · water bomber · aerial attack · ground crew · hose · tanker · controlled burn · perimeter · mop-up · helicopter

• Australian ecologyGreat Barrier Reef, eucalyptus forests, tropical ecosystems, wildlife conservation, reef conservation
• savannasavanna, grassland, acacia, African savannah, baobab tree
• Australian HistoryCaptain Cook, Commonwealth, federation, explorers, Liberal Party
• South AustraliaAdelaide, Clare, Riverland, Maitland, Brighton
• Environmental problemsair pollution, water pollution, climate change, global warming, habitat loss
• fire safetysmoke detectors, evacuation plan, smoke alarms, sprinklers, assembly point