Bushfire bill blows out to $6b a year as climate warms
Bushfires could cost Australia $181.7 billion over the next 30 years, according to economic modelling released by Emergency Leaders for Climate Action. The study found the losses would average $6 billion a year as fires become more frequent and intense. Reducing bushfire damage by one fifth could prevent $39.4 billion in losses, researchers said. Recommended measures include upgrading homes to the national bushfire standard, early-detection technology and back-up power for mobile phone towers. Co-author Janice Lee said the estimates were conservative.