SHARING THE RISK & RESPONSIBILITY

Episode 6

Key Messages

Why is Forrest in the Otways one of Australia’s highest bushfire risk communities?

Otways and Forrest is high risk due to location – nearby the coast with strong winds, and susceptible to wind changes – creates a greater level of exposure
Rugged terrain in Otway region also increases risk – adds energy to fire
Little rises/hills around Forrest township add energy, and contribute to short distance spotting from nearby fires
Fires that start up to 10km from township can have fast and easy access into town due to the location, easy access for fire – adds to the risk

Two distinct types of fires can impact Forrest
1. Normal summer conditions. A fire that can impact on town within 1 or 2 hours of fire starting–from North or West. A fast moving fire, through cured grass areas, plus stringybark forests creates lots of embers and creates spot fires all around township (potentially hundreds of fires). This may be a defendable option for community members with this type of fire.
2. Extreme event condition. Landscape has dried out from a decade of drought. Very intense fire, very hot, creates convection columns that can generate their own weather patterns. Fires might come from west or south west, could create a big fire event. Evacuation would be a preferred option.
Phoenix Rapidfire models –show these 2 x fire events – see links here
Phoenix provides simulations to look at fire from an aerial view – shows things like fire spotting, new spot fires, and scale of fire. Gives a better understanding of where the fire is
This new technology, such as Phoenix, can help communicate with local communities, particularly as the summer dries out. Can provide more information to the community.

Changes in the way we think about fire, learning more from traditional owner methods

We need to view fire as a natural part of the environment, in the same way as wind & rain
Look at fire not as a damaging process, but as an enabling process
Start to think about fire, more like we think about rain. Smaller, more regular events throughout the year. Current strategies limit fires (suppress fires). Planned burns help release the energy.
By continually suppressing fire, the energy in the environment builds up, and when it is released, it’s beyond human control and creates catastrophic fires
Planned burning helps release the energy
Traditional use of fire in the landscape had a strong objective focus. We need to learn from these practices in using fire to maintain the sustainability in the landscape
Communities really need to take more interest, and engage with land managers and take ownership and responsibility for the inclusion and extension of fire in the landscape
It’s hard to put more fire in the landscape at the moment due to community constraints. Window has narrowed due to socio-political constraints. Community needs to speak up and encourage more sustainable land management which will include more fire.
Otways has been working on a long-term strategy for the area. There’s a need to balance all the objectives - protecting local communities, water catchments, tourism industry, forestry industry, and importantly environmental outcomes.
Current strategy involves a range of planned burn units at various stages across the years

Sharing responsibility in the future?

If we were doing this well; what would it look like?

In an ideal world, we understand all the objectives (water catchments, tourism, ecological, protection of human life & property) – we might not all agree, but we understand and need to go through the trade-offs process to get to the best outcome for living with fire.
Need to get together, might take 2 -3 years, over BBQ’s and walks in the bush – to discuss the trade-offs.
Individuals may be able to help. Eg. A neighbourhood cleans up along forest boundary.
We all have a responsibility, need to be a player in the game. Individuals can also take their own actions.
It’s all about relationships and working together, and the traditional owner approach recognised that some people have more knowledge, but it’s a shared responsibility

Heath Burning / Drone

Heath time-lapse

Mulching:

Episode 6: Text