The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

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Episode 373: Could Australia Face a Bushfire Disaster Like Los Angeles? Greg Mullins Weighs In

Thousands of homes wiped out, entire neighborhoods gone—wildfires in Los Angeles have reached a terrifying new level. But could something like that happen here in Australia?

Former New South Wales Fire and Rescue Commissioner Greg Mullins joins us to break it all down—how bushfires are getting worse, why they’re becoming harder to fight, and what that means for people living near bushland.

Greg shares his firsthand experience working with fire agencies around the world and explains how bushfires are now turning into full-blown urban firestorms. We get into why hazard reduction burns are getting trickier, what building codes can (and can’t) do to protect homes, and the brutal reality that some fires just can’t be fought.

It’s a conversation that every homeowner—especially those in fire-prone areas—needs to hear. So what can we actually do about it? Greg’s got some straight-up advice, plus a few surprising facts that might change the way you think about bushfire risk.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

00:52 - Who is Greg Mullins?

02:17 - Did experts ever imagine wildfires could destroy a city like this?

04:06 - What is the meaning of urban conflagration?

06:32 - Could the Australian government have acted to avert the 2020 bushfires?

08:14 - Are authorities taking climate and fire warnings more seriously today?

09:13 - Could Australia face an urban fire like LA's, and what can we do to prevent it?

12:59 - Best way to unite fire services, councils, and property owners on fire prevention

18:43 - How is climate change making bushfires more extreme and unpredictable?

24:56 - How emergency services are gearing up for increasingly demanding fire events

28:22 - How is the insurance industry responding to rising bushfire threats?

32:40 - Can Australia’s construction sector keep up with rebuilding after bushfires?

34:39 - Is urban sprawl increasing fire and heat risks in Western Sydney?

38:44 - Best ways to fireproof homes in high-risk bushfire areas

43:48 - Should Australia strengthen its building codes for bushfire-prone areas?

46:13 - The dangers and long-term health effects of bushfire smoke

49:46 - Greg Mullins’ property dumbo

About Our Guest:

Greg Mullins AO, AFSM, is a veteran firefighter, climate advocate, and leader in emergency management. Serving nearly 14 years as Commissioner of Fire & Rescue NSW, he was the first to rise from the ranks to lead the agency, becoming its longest-serving chief in over a century. His expertise spans international bushfire management, emergency response coordination, and strategic leadership, including roles as President of the peak fire and emergency services council for Australia and New Zealand. After retiring in 2017, he rejoined the Rural Fire Service and was on the frontlines during the 2019–2020 Black Summer. Concerned about worsening climate-driven disasters, he founded Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, rallying former fire chiefs to push for urgent policy change. He continues to serve as a Climate Councillor and holds advisory roles shaping bushfire and emergency response strategies. His book, Firestorm, offers a firefighter’s perspective on the growing impact of climate change on natural disasters.

Connect with Greg Mullins:

Resources:

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Chris Bates