Why do so many Australians die from forest fires?

The recent fire storm caused the greatest loss of life in Australian history. The number of nearly 200 shocking deaths caused by wildfires is part of the kangaroo life and people have experience dealing for centuries.

The houses were burned down in Alexandra Town, northeast of Melbourne.Photo: AFP.

Forest fire is a familiar phenomenon for Australians. A few days before the disaster, officials called on people in the area to be at risk of evacuation, but it seems that many victims were not prepared to deal with a fire or leave the house when the situation became Can not salvage. The tremendous speed of fire made many people unable to keep up.

The most severe drought in a century caused temperatures in many regions in southeastern Australia to reach more than 40 degrees Celsius. On February 7, hot dry air caused by temperatures of 47 degrees Celsius was associated with Strong winds have helped fires spread quickly. Police and firefighters reported more than 100 fires on February 7 and they thought that many fires were caused by humans.

Fires that can move at dizzying speed are partly due to pine, eucalyptus and many other essential oil trees that release large amounts of embers and create new fires.

Many people think that they have plenty of time to run away from the house, and then suddenly find themselves in the middle of the sea of ​​fire. Kevin Tolhurst, an expert who has investigated hundreds of wildfires, said many victims had left home too late.

'They waited until they saw the fire without knowing that the movement speed of the fire was uneven. In the forest it only spreads at an average speed of 5 km / h, but on a meadow the speed of fire can reach 10 km / h. Even in the period of the fire pulse it is possible to move 400-600 m in seconds, equivalent to the speed of the wind. Many people see fire in the distance and think they are safe, so soon the fire comes right in front of them , 'Kevin explained.

Firefighters spray water on a burning tree in the town of Peats Ridge, north of Sydney.Photo: AFP.

Instead of running away from home, many people decided to stay to protect their property. They watered the property and the area around the house. But water quickly evaporates in temperatures of up to 47 degrees Celsius.

As the fire approached, people stayed away from the windows and breathed through a cloth to protect the lungs. But they did not consider the risk of the heat of fire and coal dust. The fire couldn't burn down the house right away so the people still had a few minutes to run out. Survivors said they heard many explosions of trees and furniture and quickly exhausted from overheating. The surrounding atmosphere was filled with dust and gas that made it difficult to breathe.

According to Australian media, many victims died in cars. Kevin said that the temperature inside the car increased faster than the outside because it was a small space. The only way to survive is to lie low and cover it with a blanket or sheet. Many victims escaped before the fire spread to the car, but then they still could not stand the terrible heat of the sea of ​​fire on February 7.