Deliberate Bushfires in Australia: A Preventable Crisis

These fires are devastating

Deliberately lit bushfires can spread rapidly and have devastating consequences. They often occur on the edge of urban areas close to populated places, where there are both dense vegetation and flammable structures.

We see a peak in bushfires during summer when hot temperatures, low rainfall, and dry conditions make fire a more potent threat. Climate change, land management practices, and increased interaction between people and rural areas increase our vulnerability to fire and the risks associated with deliberate fires.

The royal commission into Victoria’s devastating Black Saturday fires in 2009 reported 173 people died and an additional 414 were injured. The commission concluded at least three of the 15 fires that caused (or had the potential to cause) the greatest harm were deliberately lit.

Who lights these fires?

We know little about the characteristics and psychology of people who light bushfires or how to intervene to prevent these fires.

The little research we have suggests there is no one “profile” or “mindset” associated with deliberately lighting bushfires. But there are some risk factors or vulnerabilities we see more commonly in people who light them. These include:

• an interest or fascination with fire or fire paraphernalia. This could include an interest in watching fire, or a fascination with matches or the fire service

• experiences of social isolation, including a lack of friends or intimate relationships

• increased impulsivity

• general antisocial behaviour, such as contact with the police, truanting or property damage

• difficulties managing and expressing emotions

• problems with being assertive.

However, most people with these vulnerabilities will never light a fire.

Research shows rates of mental illness are higher in people who set fires (including schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders, personality dysfunction, and substance use disorders). However, mental health symptoms are rarely a direct cause of firesetting. Instead, they appear to worsen existing vulnerabilities.

Why do people light these fires?

There are many, complex reasons why people light fires. Commonly reported drivers include: relieving boredom or creating excitement, gaining positive recognition for putting out a fire (they want to be seen as a hero), as a cry for help, or because they’re angry.

However, not everyone who lights a fire intends to cause serious damage or harm. In some cases, people may not be aware of the possible consequences of lighting a fire or that the fire may spread into a bushfire.

So how can we prevent this?

First, we can learn more about why people set fires more generally, particularly those who do not attract attention from authorities. Research in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand has started to investigate those who set fires but don’t attract police attention. The aim is to identify ways to prevent people lighting fires in the first place, and support them so they don’t light more.

There is almost no research in Australia or internationally into the effects of community awareness, and prevention campaigns or targeted strategies to prevent firesetting, including bushfire arson, in higher risk groups.

We know slightly more about interventions to reduce repeat firesetting. Fire safety education programs delivered by fire and rescue services show some promise as an early intervention for children and adolescents who have already set a fire, particularly those motivated by curiosity, experimentation, or who are not aware of the consequences.

There is also some evidence suggesting specialist psychological interventions can be effective in reducing vulnerabilities associated with adult firesetting. Forensic or clinical psychologists typically deliver a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy (a type of talking therapy), skills building (such as building coping skills, emotion and impulse control, and reducing their interest in fire), and fire safety education.

Conclusion

Failing to address deliberate firesetting will have significant long-term consequences for public health, human life and the environment. Climate change makes it more urgent than ever to address the problem of deliberate firesetting, including bushfire arson. We need to learn more about why people set fires and how to prevent them, and provide targeted interventions to support those who are more likely to set fires.

FAQs

Q: Why do people light bushfires?

A: There are many complex reasons why people light fires, including relieving boredom, gaining positive recognition, as a cry for help, or because they’re angry.

Q: Who is most likely to set a bushfire?

A: Research suggests that people with certain risk factors or vulnerabilities are more likely to set a bushfire, including those with an interest in fire, experiences of social isolation, increased impulsivity, and difficulties managing and expressing emotions.

Q: How can we prevent bushfires?

A: We can learn more about why people set fires, provide targeted interventions to support those who are more likely to set fires, and deliver fire safety education programs to children and adolescents who have already set a fire.

Q: What is the impact of climate change on bushfires?

A: Climate change increases our vulnerability to fire and the risks associated with deliberate fires. It makes it more urgent than ever to address the problem of deliberate firesetting, including bushfire arson.