Climate change or population change, Australia.

[dryheat]

Did they have three years of rain and then a year of "drought"? A recipe for fire. Too many folks moving into the Outback? More worldwide news coverage? What is the history of wildfires in the upside down part of the planet?

[togor]

Extended drought and scorching heat. Aussies on other forums regularly talk about 105+ temps not being too unbearable because of 5% RH. But how vegetation burns in those conditions.

[Roadkingtrax]

They are also catching a lot of arsonists, or fire bugs, in Aussie speak.

Same happens here in the desert SW.