At least 6.9 million Australians living on the expanding fringes of our capital cities could be at risk from urban fires supercharged by climate pollution this report finds. It details how climate pollution, from burning coal, oil and gas, is turbo-charging dangerous fire conditions. This is making Los Angeles-style urban blazes increasingly likely in parts of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. 

The report also reveals more people than ever are living in harm’s way, with populations on the outskirts of our cities up 65% on average since 2001.

Key findings

1. The 2025 wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles (LA) neighbourhoods in the middle of winter were supercharged by climate pollution.
2. Many Australian cities share dangerous characteristics that made the LA fires so destructive, and many of Australia's worst bushfires have also exhibited unstoppable fire behaviour.
3. Just like in LA, more people than ever are living in harm’s way on the fast-growing urban fringes of Australian cities.
4. Climate pollution is turbo-charging Australian fire conditions, and it’s making fires more frequent, costly, intense - and less predictable.
5. Climate-fuelled fires are increasingly exceeding the limits of modern firefighting. Investment in community preparation and urgent cuts to climate pollution are both critical to saving Australian lives and communities.