Australia's bushfires have emitted 250m tonnes of CO2, almost half of country's annual emissions

Exclusive: forest regrowth can reabsorb emissions from fires but scientists fear natural carbon 'sinks' have been compromised

Bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland have emitted a massive pulse of CO2 into the atmosphere since August that is equivalent to almost half of Australia's annual greenhouse gas emissions, Guardian Australia can reveal.

Analysis by Nasa shows the NSW fires have emitted about 195m tonnes of CO2 since 1 August, with Queensland's fires adding a further 55m tonnes over the same period.