The main natural cause of bushfires is lightning. Lightning can start fires, as shown in Figure 2 by producing a spark onto the leaves of trees.
The intensity and behaviour of bushfires are determined by the following three factors:
The intensity and behaviour of bushfires are determined by the following three factors:
- Weather - air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric stability
- Fuel - type, quantity, condition and arrangement. Fuels include vegetation and other flammable material
- Topography - slope, aspect, affect on wind, and elevation (Government of South Australia, 2010)