2017–18 Australian bushfire season

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2017–18 Australian bushfire season

Dates: June 2017 to June 2018
Location: Australia
Impact: 0 deaths, more than 94 structures destroyed

Overview
- The season was expected to bring above-normal fire risk across most of eastern and southern coastal Australia.
- Australia had its warmest winter on record and a very dry winter in many areas, leaving lots of dry vegetation to burn. Hot, dry weather in the summer would keep fire risks high.
- October was unusually wet in Queensland and north‑eastern New South Wales, which reduced fire risk there.

Notable fires and impacts
- Comboyne (NSW) and Kempsey area: Two homes lost in Comboyne with about 100 firefighters on the scene; a shed and a vehicle lost near Kempsey.
- Sydney and surrounds (NSW): Sydney had its hottest September day on record (33.8°C / 92.8°F) and the first total fire ban of the season. In the Hunter Valley, a fast-moving blaze burned about 400 hectares with many other fires burning across the state.
- Tathra fire (NSW South Coast): Beginning in Reedy Swamp, the fire spread toward Tathra. About 150 firefighters fought it; around 70 homes were destroyed or damaged; more than 1,000 hectares burned; many people evacuated to the Bega Showgrounds; several schools closed.
- Western Sydney fire (April): A large, fast-moving fire from Glenfield toward Casula and other suburbs prompted hundreds of evacuations and a strong firefighting effort (over 500 firefighters and 15 aircraft). Some residents were told to shelter in place as the fire grew.
- Victoria: By late March, more than 160 fires were burning across the state. The Terang fire burned about 6,700 hectares; nearby fires in Gnotuk-Camperdown and Garvoc also caused significant losses (tens to hundreds of hectares burned) with at least 18 houses lost.
- Queensland fires:
- Noosa North Shore fire destroyed three homes and damaged a few others.
- Caloundra fire burned about 700 hectares of bush and farmland and threatened local landmarks such as the racecourse.
- Bells Creek area (near Landsborough) saw fires that required many crews and trucks; a nearby park fire burned a small area but remained a concern for residents and wildlife.
- Western Australia and nearby fires:
- Fires near Sawyers Valley south of Perth burned about 1,000 hectares.
- The Perth Hills area saw multiple fires in late January, including activity near Gidgegannup and Shenton Park, with smoke impacting the wider Perth metro area.
- Augusta–Margaret River region (January): A fire damaged or destroyed several sheds and a derelict house; an emergency warning was issued for areas near the Bussell Highway.
- Albany area (late May): Dozens of fires threatened the region, with red-hot conditions and several fires burning northwest of Albany and near Porongurup and Napier; at least one home was lost near Wellstead, and large fires burned thousands of hectares in the Porongurup area.

Bottom line
- The 2017–18 season saw widespread fires across multiple states, significant property losses, and large firefighting efforts. Despite the extensive fire activity, this summary records zero deaths and more than 90 structures destroyed.