The bushfire season in Australia is typically from November to April, but the threat of fires is already looming in 2023. Climate experts are predicting an El Niño event in the second half of the year, which would bring hotter and drier conditions to Australia. This could lead to a devastating bushfire season, with the potential to be even worse than the Black Summer bushfires of 2019–20.
In addition to the El Niño event, Australia is also facing other challenges that could make the bushfire season more severe. These include:
- A prolonged drought in many parts of the country.
- Increased fuel loads due to a lack of prescribed burns.
- More people living in bushfire-prone areas.
- A warming climate, which is making fires more intense and destructive.