What does Climate change mean for firefighting?
Renewables and fire risk – what is the real story?
Public forum, Chewton, NOV 29
Last summer Victoria experienced widespread and destructive fires.
In response, the Victorian parliament established a multi party Inquiry into the 2026 bushfires. In its final report it made the following finding:
FINDING 2: Climate change is a key contributor to bushfire conditions and is contributing to the frequency and intensity of bushfires in the state.
The final report notes that The Bureau of Meteorology placed last summer’s conditions within a longer trend. It reported that Australia had warmed by 1.59 degrees since 1910 and linked that warming to more frequent extreme fire weather and longer fire seasons across large parts of the country.
Numerous submissions to the Inquiry identified climate change as a key contributor to the conditions that led to the 2026 Victorian bushfires, including through heatwaves, lightning, drying of the landscape and longer fire seasons. Longer seasons extend the period in which crews, aircraft and control centres must remain ready. They also reduce the mild‑weather windows for planned burning and increase pressure on water resources.
What do longer seasons mean for us as firefighters?
This session is aimed at firefighters (but is open to all interested people). It will feature speakers who will address the questions of –
- What does climate change mean for future fire seasons? What conditions can we expect in coming years?
- How can volunteer firefighters and brigades be better supported to prepare for these conditions?
Renewables and fire risk – what is the real story?
There is a lot of misinformation being circulated about the fire risk associated with renewables – including turbines, solar farms and storage facilities. A speaker will address this issue and seek to dispel some of the misinformation and fear and explain how planning for these facilities occurs, how they are managed and how to find further information on the topic.
WHEN:
Sunday November 29
11am – 12.30.
All local firefighters are welcome – do your radio scheds and sunday morning jobs and then join us for a cuppa and an interesting conversation at Chewton.
There will be plenty of time for Q&A.
WHERE:
Chewton CFA fire station
1 Mount St, Chewton VIC 3451
And ON LINE via zoom
Please register to attend as we have limited space.
We will send a zoom link a few days before the event.
HOSTED BY
Chewton CFA
With the assistance of Australian Firefighters Climate Alliance
FURTHER INFORMATION
Cam Walker 0419 338 047