forest fires, what dont I understand

[macafee2]

I'm always baffled when forest fires destroy lots of houses in a town or even scattered about.

Why has the forest not in the preceding months and years been cut back?
I have no idea what distance is needed, 250'ish yards perhaps between forest and houses with short grass in between the two???

For the last few years every year the same news story but towns and secluded properties don't seem to learn.

what am I not understanding ?

macafee2

[Madderz]

Drought is the biggest factor. It's not rained properly in 2 years.
It only takes 1 ember , a small breeze and something combustible for it to spread.

[spyder]

Easier said than done, work out the quantity of trees in a perimeter of 250 yards around each structure. Much like wondering why rivers are not dredged to prevent flooding or why houses are build on flood planes.

Drought is a terrible thing....

[richw]

Some say that controlled fires are usual maintenance. As you say, that reduces the amount of dry wood and keeps the density low.

It has been reported that environmental protestors have managed to stop controlled burning, and here we are...

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by richw

Some say that controlled fires are usual maintenance. As you say, that reduces the amount of dry wood and keeps the density low.

It has been reported that environmental protestors have managed to stop controlled burning, and here we are...

Ah, but in doing so, they have a catastrophe they can blame solely on "climate change"

I was speaking to one of our Antipodean cousins before Christmas about this very subject.

It is very sad to hear of the loss of life, due to the ill thought out policy change of not creating firebreaks

Brian

[Roverlike]

In case of pine woods flamed seed cones are projectiles in which case 250 yards is nothing for them. They will flame all around ...

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by Roverlike

In case of pine woods flamed seed cones are projectiles in which case 250 yards is nothing for them. They will flame all around ...

In 2011, at the family wine farm in the Western Cape, South Africa, we were hit by a wild fire which came to us from our neighbours who had been doing a controlled burn to take out the pine woods and water thirsty vegetation. As you said Pine trees germinate in the wind and the growth from them can easily spread. On the morning of the fire on our neighbours property the wind got up and so did the fire. We called the fire brigade to them and 13 fire engines attended. The fire jumped over the engines and came at us fast and furious. Because of our location, the fire brigade helicopters came too late. In the final analysis, we had to save ourselves and return later. The fire brigade sent us a bill to pay for the helicopters (3 of them) at $1000 each per hour. Eventually the insurance company settled with them. We were threatened with being credit blacklisted unless we paid up, so we had to hold our nerve until the underwriters agreed to pay out to the fire brigade.

It took us 3 years - 4 years to rebuild the house and the farm. The house is rented out and the money is reinvested back into the farm and the mountain. Clearing the firebreaks and keeping them cleared, costs us £5,000 per year using men and machines. Its too dangerous to have a 'controlled burn'.

I sincerely hope the Australian government helps those in need and those who were not insured. My heart goes out to the victims.

This month in South Africa it is usually very hot and the risk of bush fires is high.



Ariel photo fire 16 April 2011 by philip Gate Keeper, on Flickr



Ladder by philip Gate Keeper, on Flickr



after the fire by philip Gate Keeper, on Flickr

[macafee2]

Originally Posted by Madderz

Drought is the biggest factor. It's not rained properly in 2 years.
It only takes 1 ember , a small breeze and something combustible for it to spread.

ok so its dry but there needs to be fuel for the fire, remove the fuel and what has the fire got to burn?
strike a match, it burns to the end and goes out, the "fire" can only continue if the flame can get to something else that burns. no fuel, no fire.

why are trees not cut back?

macafee2

[Nick Greg]

Anyone know if they are actually worse this year in Australia than any previous year? Or is the media spotlight shining a bit brighter? Be interesting to know if they are worse.

[Rev Jules]

How about getting our Government getting their priorities right and divert some of the millions of pounds we send to dubious countries and give some of it to a worth while cause, AUSTRALIA,

Rev