# New South Wales Black Summer bushfire aftermath

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-south-wales-black-summer-bushfire-aftermath
> Updated: 2026-08-24T01:27:01.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The aftermath of the Black Summer bushfires in New South Wales has evolved from a focus on physical reconstruction to concerns regarding seasonal fire risks and public perception. 

More than four years after the initial devastation, reconstruction efforts for many residents have stalled due to the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising construction material costs. 

More recently, the Australian and New Zealand Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) has warned of heightened bushfire risks in south-east New South Wales, citing unusually dry conditions and above-average temperatures. Concurrently, research from the Royal Society indicates that the fires may have influenced public attitudes toward climate science, noting a decline in climate change acceptance among Australians following the event, potentially driven by misinformation and media narratives.

## Claims

- Following the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, the percentage of Australians accepting climate science fell from 64.6 per cent to 54.46 per cent. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The proportion of 'fence-sitters' regarding climate change increased from 27.13 per cent to 37.09 per cent after the Black Summer fires. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Misinformation and media narratives attributing the 2019/20 fires to arson may have influenced public beliefs about the causes of the fires. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- AFAC warned of an increased bushfire risk across parts of Australia this spring, specifically in the New South Wales south-east. (single source)
- Dry conditions in eastern Australia are driving the heightened bushfire risk. (single source)
- The Far South Coast region, including Bega Valley and Eurobodalla shires, is experiencing unusually dry conditions for late winter. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Australia bushfire risk rises as study links Black Summer fires to climate skepticism

AFAC warns of increased spring bushfire risks in NSW due to dry conditions, while new research shows the Black Summer fires led to a decline in climate science acceptance among Australians.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australia-bushfire-risk-rises-as-study-links-black-summer-fires-to-climate-skepticism

### 2026-07-29: New South Wales continues to grapple with Black Summer bushfire recovery

The 2019‑2020 Black Summer bushfires razed homes and caused deaths in New South Wales; recovery is stalled as COVID‑19 and high material costs keep many residents from rebuilding.

38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-south-wales-black-summer-bushfires-spark-longterm-community-recovery

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Cite as: New South Wales Black Summer bushfire aftermath. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-south-wales-black-summer-bushfire-aftermath