Bushfires are often extremely tragic events. Bushfires have accounted for over 800 deaths in Australia and the total accumulated cost is estimated at $1.6 billion. More than 10,000 properties have been obliterated. Millions upon millions of trees and other plants are also burnt down but luckily Australian flora has adapted over the years to recover quickly from devastation. In some eucalypt and banksia species, for example, fire causes seed pods to open, which allows them to germinate. Fire also encourages the growth of new grassland plants.
Bushfires obviously have a major impact on people, emotionally and physically. If a person get's trapped in a burning forest/house then they may burn/suffocate to death and if a relative of someone dies in a fire then that event will cause major emotional stress.
Bushfires affect the economy but how badly they affect it depend on three main factors. First, where the fire is positioned and what direction it is heading (ie. whether settlements are in it's burning path), How detrimental the fire is and the power and speed behind the response to the fire. If the fire travels through a suburban area, untouched, the overall cost will be incredibly high compared to if the fire just travelled through a bush area. Replacement funds can come from many various sources including the government, insurance agencies and public donation
Other than the obvious loss in housing and businesses, economic impacts are seen in:
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Other than the obvious loss in housing and businesses, economic impacts are seen in:
- A loss of income for farmers if their livestock or land has been affected by the fires
- A potential loss of money from the tourism industry
- Some people may move away from the bushfire affected area, so they are no longer contributing to the economy of the region
Hosting local charity events is a usual response from society and is usually very effective. This can be achieved through many different methods. For example, some local residents may go door knocking for money, cook some food to sell, volunteer to cleanup and rescue, and donate.
