El Niño and flash droughts set Australia's fire risk soaring this summer

Flash droughts, rapid moisture loss acting like giant hair dryers, will amplify fire danger when combined with El Niño this Australian summer.

Why it mattersAustralia's fire seasons are becoming harder to predict and faster to ignite. This means emergency services and families have less time to prepare.

AustraliaAustralians face a summer of elevated fire risk as El Niño combines with flash drought conditions, particularly in eastern Australia where recent wet winters offer less protection than they used to.

✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 d ago

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File image: Volunteer Marine Rescue station on Australian coastal jetty

✓ The Guardian AustraliaPlanet & Environment

267,000 homes at risk as Australia braces for coastal flooding surge

Climate Council forecasts rising seas will damage more than 267,000 coastal properties and cost $855 billion in economic losses by 2100.

Why it mattersCoastal property values and agricultural productivity are under genuine long-term threat, reshaping investment, insurance, and food supply across Australia.