Key facts
- 94% of NSW homes lost in 2019-2020 bushfires were less than 100 meters from flammable vegetation.
Almost all homes destroyed in New South Wales during the 2019-2020 bushfires were within 100 meters of flammable vegetation, according to new research. The findings validate current risk mapping but suggest buffer zones may need to be extended due to climate change.
The research highlights the critical role of vegetation proximity in bushfire destruction and suggests that current safety measures may become insufficient as climate change exacerbates fire conditions, potentially impacting property values and insurance costs in high-risk areas.
Almost all homes destroyed in New South Wales during the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires were located within 100 meters of flammable vegetation, according to new research published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire. The study found that 94% of the 2,475 homes lost in NSW were less than 100 meters from trees and other flammable materials.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Owen Price from the University of Wollongong stated that the findings validate the 100-meter buffer rule used by authorities to identify properties at risk. However, he warned that as global heating intensifies fire conditions, these buffer zones may need to be extended.
The NSW rural fire service acknowledged the research, with Melissa O’Halloran stating that homes in bushfire-prone areas should be built to higher construction standards. The service is currently reviewing its bushfire protection policies to account for increasing climate risks.
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