09 December 2023 , 12:04
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The I'm A Celebrity camp risks being damaged or even destroyed in the coming months - as it has been identified as an area prone to bushfires this Summer.
A map has recently been released by the Australian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) and highlighted massive areas across the nation that have an 'increased risk of fire'. AFAC believes record-breaking dry conditions during winter and a warmer than average start to spring has left the nation susceptible to large-scale bushfires which could rival that of the devastating bushfires over 2019-20.
The jungle campsite in Murwillumbah is on the border of Queensland and New South Wales so could be affected in the coming months if it was unlucky enough to be caught up in bush fires. Almost all of Queensland has been designated as high risk this summer, with only some areas along the coast and encroaching on the South Australian border not being highlighted.
After already experiencing numerous fires prior to the start of summer, New South Wales' coastline, northeast and centre are said to be in the firing line this summer. The country has suffered more and more fires in the recent years during their summers which run from December to February. A total of 21.4million hectares of land - mostly in Victoria, NSW and the ACT - was burnt from June 2019 to May 2020.
The fires destroyed just under 2,800 homes, killed 34 people and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 3billion animals. In the accompanying text alongside the new map showing risk areas, AFAC stated: "There is a significant risk of above normal fire potential across large parts of NSW."
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It later added: "The continuation of below average rainfall, elevated fuel growth and lowest on record rainfall deficiencies across southern parts of Queensland throughout the late winter and spring months, has primed many parts of the state for an extended fire season. The El Niño is likely to continue to influence the fire weather patterns across Queensland for the early summer months."
In 2019, the I'm A Celebrity camp was banned from having its usual fire in camp because there were bush fires nearby. Instead, campmates cooked their food and boiled their water on a specially made gas stove.
AFAC CEO Rob Webb urged Australians to take precautions in the coming months. He said: “An increased risk of bushfire makes it even more important for you to take action. Wherever you live, work or visit this summer, know where to find bushfire information, prepare your property, and talk to your family and friends about what you will do in an emergency."
I'm A Celebrity returns to ITV tonight at 9pm where the four remaining celebs will face the Celebrity Cyclone challenge