Less time to prepare for bushfires

The window of time to prepare for bushfires using prescribed burning will shrink due to climate change, according to a new Australian study. Dr Stuart Matthews of CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems will present the findings at the International Wildfire Management Conference in Sydney

Source: ABC news in Science

Indigenous fire to save CO2 emissions

Traditional Aboriginal burning practices in Australia's savannah country could reduce national greenhouse emissions by nearly 5 megatonnes a year and trigger a $52 million-a-year industry, says environmental economist Scott Heckbert of the CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems.

Source: ABC Science

Early warning

Viv Waller
We need early detection and rapid aggressive response to stop bushfires from raging out of control.

Source: Inside Story

National inquiry on bushfire mitigation and management

Stuart Ellis, Peter Kanowski and Rob Whelan / Council of Australian Governments
Posted: 16-02-2009
This 2004 Inquiry responded to its terms of reference by focusing on the following themes: risk factors contributing to bushfires; bushfire mitigation strategies and their impacts; the impacts of bushfires on the environment, life, property and the economy; resources and infrastructure for fire mitigation and firefighting; efficiency of resource use and the best use of technologies; cooperation between agencies and jurisdictions; and examples of good practice. Decisions about bushfire mitigation and management are made within a risk-management framework, known as the 5Rs—Research, information and analysis; Risk modification; Readiness; Response; and Recovery.

Source: Australian Policy Online

Impact of public land management practices on bushfires in Victoria

Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Victorian State Government
Posted: 16-02-2009
The Committee recommends a significant increase in the level of prescribed burning to mitigate the risks associated with future bushfires.The Committee notes that its recommendation for a substantial increase in prescribed/ecological burning may have a significant impact on the community and require a cultural change in some community attitudes. It believes this increased level of prescribed burning will be of such benefit to the environment and the Victorian community that a unified commitment to promoting this change is essential.

Source: Australian Policy Online

We have still not lived long enough

Testimony from the 1939 and 2009 fires suggests there is one thing we never seem to learn from history, writes Tom Griffiths

Source: Inside Story