- Title:
-
Prescribed Burning: Its role in the containment of bushfires and the conservation of biodiversity (PDF)
- Date:
- September 2008
- Organisations
- DEC, Fire Management Services
- Authors:
- R. Sneeuwjagt
Overview
The International Bushfire Research Conference 2008 - incorporating The 15th annual AFAC Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Despite several decades of experience in the application of prescribed buring on crown lands and private lands throughout Australia, both the effectiveness and effects of prescribed burning continue to be challenged. For example, Penman et al (2008, in press) claim that "prescribed burning has limited valued in affecting the total area burnt but may assist in reducing fire severity". They base their argument on their finding that there have been few rigorous scientific studies that examine the efficacy of prescribed burning in controlling wildfires or enhancing and protecting the value of ecological assets. These statements ignore the fact that there have been several published articles and a wealth of unpublished information and experience that clearly demonstrate the important contribution that prescribed buring make to fire control and the health and vior of biodiversity.
The application of the extensive prescribed burning program in the south-west forests of Western Australia since 1961 has been largely responsible for very low incidence of large and damaging forest fires. During this time there have been no losses of lives of fire fighters and civilians living near or in the forest zones.
The findings of a previous comprehensive study by Underwood et al, (1985) on the efficacy of prescribed burning in Western Australia are summarised. Two new important case studies in Western Australia will be presented that demonstrate the critical contribution of a network of fuel reduction burns provided in the control of large, high intensity forest fires near Perth, Western Australia. In the absence of prescribed burns the bushfires would have continued unbated and would have burnt into residential areas and farm lands in less than 24 hours after ignition. On of the fires impacted on Perth surface water catchments, and had it not been restricted by the low fuels, the impacts on water supplies would have been disasterous.
The number, size and locations of prescribed burns required to achieve both asset protection and biodiversity conservation objectives is discussed to assist planners and managers develop effective fire management programs.
