NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner did not conceal his disappointment during the media briefing when he told that he heard the news of the deployment of army reservists by the media. There is no doubt that harsh weather with unmanageable bush fires is creating havoc and overstretching the resources. These bush fires are not only posing high risks for life, property, and livestock but its management and handling are also having a risk of political deficit for the state and federal governments both.
Lives and property loss, financial stress, destruction of farmland and razing homes. Wildfire also impacts negatively on the economy and consequences could be greater and grief. But bushfires are a common phenomenon of the Australian ecosystem and managed by Australian native people for more than 14000 years. Seventeen percent of Australian land is bushland and forest.
Source: AAP
Source: AAP
(Australian Government department of environment and energy)
Dr Sajeev told SBS Urdu that many plant and animal species rely on fires and if there is no fire these species will be diminished. For example, fire is needed to crack various hard seeds shell and warming the soil, etc. that could not occur otherwise, he added.
Australian ecosystem relies heavily on bushfires and the fire regime is used by aboriginals for fourteen thousand years back.
Dr. Sanjeev says that even European settlers continued prescribed-burning since they arrived in 1788.
Dr Sanjeev emphasizes on the importance of routine but small scale bushfires.
A bushfire near Dolphin Sands on Tasmania's east coast Source: TASMANIA FIRE SERVICE
If the annual fire pattern discontinued then the big fuel load will accumulate with a high risk of the extreme intensity of the future fire that could destroy much larger geographical area with a huge negative impact on the ecosystem.
"What we prefer to have is a small burn of less intensity and that keeps happening all the time naturally. In the modern world, most of the government agencies/forest departments follow “plan burn” or “prescribed burn” plan to reduce the risk of large scale devastated fire", he explained.
Australian forest controlling authorities having a target of burning five percent of all the forest resources every year and that means millions of hector and that is part of the prescribed burning plan
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Bushfires are part of Australian ecosystem for thousands year
SBS Urdu
13/11/201910:15
Definitely some carbon emission, ash, amber, etc. and other after-effects could be unfavorable for health. But if these procedures will not be adopted than fire season can ignite bush fire without any control by natural means (by lighting or extensive heat and wood fuel) and that out of control and unmanageable fires can create greater risk on human life and ecosystem.
The nutrient cycle also relies heavily on a forest fire. The fire also plays a role in maintaining habitat structure and diversity. Unforeseen changes could occur if fire patterns are suppressed and that can lead to adversely impact on various species including plants, animals, and humans. Dr Sanjeev also replied about these frequently Asked Questions:
Smoke haze drifts over the CBD in Sydney Source: AAP
How bushfires can start naturally?
Wildfires can start from human activity - either accidentally or deliberately - or can start by natural causes like lightning or by rubbing of stones in hot and dry conditions. Bushfires often pass in just a few minutes but can smoke for several days. High winds are a real threat as they can fan the flames and spread the blaze.
Why bush fires are more common in Australia than any other continent?
Australia is a dry and hot but plain continent with thousands of chunks of bushlands in the middle. Many coastal and tableland regional areas are surrounded by reserves and wild bushlands. Australia's geographical conditions make it more fire-prone than many other continents, Dr. Sanjeev added.
How to prevent bushfires?
Prescribed or plan bushfire is more commonly known as hazard burning or firebreaks. These prescribed plans can stop fires spreading in uncontrolled manners and also assist in accumulating the wood fuel for the accidental or deliberate fires.
The same applies to the residential properties, homes and suburban reserves.
NSW RFS Control in full operation as the state is declared state of emergency in NSW Source: AAP
Sustainable environmental control requires to work on containment lines to produce buffer between continioues and unbroken plantation paths
NOTE: For any life-threatening situation call 000 - Use Mobile App "firenearme" for latest fire alerts
