TITLE:
Usage of Cool Burning as a Contributor to Bushfire Mitigation
AUTHORS:
Richard Skiba
KEYWORDS:
Bushfire, Wildfire, Prescribed Burn, Cool Burning, Hazard Reduction, Indigenous, Fire Management, Fire Safety, Greenhouse Gas, Environment, Conservation, Cultural Burn
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Resources,
Vol.11 No.8,
August
6,
2020
ABSTRACT: This paper considers and describes the cool burning techniques long
utilized by Australian Indigenous people as a contributor to bushfire
mitigation. Indigenous fire management involves lighting the “cool” fires
in selected areas between March and July, in Australia, during the early dry
season. The fires burn gradually, reducing fuel loads and creating fire breaks
and not all of the area is burnt. Late in
the dry season, when the weather is very hot, the method removes fuel for larger fires while maintaining and
protecting habitat for mammals, reptiles, insects and birds. The
management of Indigenous cultural fire offers an Indigenous viewpoint for wider
control of fire and cultural fire management
is an opportunity for collaborations to encourage Aboriginal empowerment
with public and private sector organisations. Effective cool burning in
contemporary prescribed burning activities can be achieved through implementation of good training, strong partnerships,
carefully considered on ground practices and appropriate and effective
techniques.