Australian experts who battled the devastating "Black Summer" wildfires of 2019-2020 say their experience offers valuable lessons for European countries confronting unprecedented wildfire activity. The fires that tore through Australia scorched millions of hectares, destroyed thousands of homes, and produced extensive smoke pollution, illustrating the severe challenges posed by increasingly intense wildfire seasons linked to human-driven climate change.

Firefighters in Australia emphasize the importance of proactive preparation to mitigate risks before catastrophic blazes arise. According to bushfire consultant Roger Fenwick, the effectiveness of firefighting efforts hinges on the ability to respond quickly, or as he puts it, to “put the wet stuff onto the red stuff fast enough to put them out.” Regular controlled burns, also known as hazard reduction burning, are crucial to lowering fuel loads in bushland, thereby limiting the intensity and spread of potential wildfires. Fenwick notes that reducing available combustible material helps to keep fire behavior within manageable levels for firefighting teams.

In addition to controlled burning, fuel reduction can be achieved through mechanical clearing or manual removal of undergrowth. Although such measures do not eliminate the risk of fires, they significantly diminish the probability of uncontrollable and severe wildfires. To keep residents informed about planned fuel reduction activities, Australian fire authorities use digital platforms, including websites and mobile applications.

Another practical strategy involves establishing "asset protection zones," which ensure a buffer between combustible vegetation and residential areas. Fire risk expert David Peterson points out that even a minimal separation of about 10 meters can greatly enhance a building’s chance of surviving a fire event.

Europe’s recent wildfires have also exhibited extreme phenomena observed during Australia’s Black Summer, such as the formation of pyrocumulonimbus clouds—fire-induced thunderstorms capable of generating erratic winds and lightning, which can further exacerbate fire behavior.

As wildfire seasons grow longer and more severe globally, Australian fire management practices offer insights into improving preparedness and risk reduction, highlighting the need for a combination of preventive fuel management, community awareness, and strategic land use planning.