Australia’s ongoing battle with bushfires

World

Australia is once again on high alert as it prepares for what weather experts believe will be the hottest and driest period since the famous "Black Summer," which occurred four years ago and resulted in the deaths of 33 people.

Heat records are being set in the densely populated area around Sydney just as the Australian spring, which begins in September, approaches. A month before the official bush fire season starts, some regional schools have been closed due to the risk of wildfire.

Adding to the tension, unusually heavy rain after the fires of 2019 and 2020 spurred vegetation growth, producing more foliage to burn in an El Nino weather event, which was declared on Tuesday. El Nino events are typified by hot, dry weather.