Bush Fires and the Garden
Many areas of Australia, and overseas, are prone to bush fires. In most cases, bush fires are considered a natural cycle for the wilderness to rejuvinate and to stimulate seeds to germinate. However, these fires are rarely caused by natural occurances (such as lightning) but rather by people who deliberately or accidently start or leave fires burning.
For the gardener, a bush fire can lead to the destruction of years, even decades, of hard work.
To a home owner, a fire can destroy not on the buildings, but the home with all personal possessions – a person’s personal history of memories and mementoes.
Learn about your local area’s fire season. In south east Queensland, that season is late winter through to summer. In southern states of Australia, the fire season tends to be over the summer months.
Some plants are more likely to ‘fuel’ a fire. These plants either have volatile oil compounds in their leaves (such as many species in the Myrtaceae family) or produce a high quantity of dry leaf matter. Plants that are succent with fleshy leaves (that naturally store water in the leaves or stems) are less likely to fuel a fire and as a result are highly recommended in fire-prone districts.
Some good fire suppressing plants (for want of a better term) are:
Succulents – Aloe species, Agave species, etc.
Rainforest plants – Syzygium species, Atractocarpus species, etc.
Herbs – Salvia, Plectranthus, gingers.
Fruits – Mulberries, mangoes, Lychees, etc.
To find out what a Fire Danger Period is, click here.
Different stages of Fire Periods permit you to do different things. To find out more, click here.
In Queensland, further information on the fire danger period, local fire bans and how to obtain a permit can be found at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
In New South Wales, go to http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/
In Victoria, go to http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/
In Western Australia, go to http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/internet/default.aspx?MenuID=228
In South Australia, go to http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/home.jsp
In Northern Territory, go to http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/natres/bushfires/index.html
In ACT, go to http://www.rfs.act.gov.au/ESAWebsite/content_rfs/rfs_home_page/rfs_home_page.html
In Tasmania, go to http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/enter.jsp
Maps of bushfire locations can be seen here – http://sentinel.ga.gov.au/acres/sentinel/index.shtml
In Qld, which fires are exempt from requiring a permit during a Fire Danger Period?
• A fire lit for the purpose of burning the carcas of a beast;
• A fire lit at a sawmill for the purpose of burning sawdust or other residue resulting from the operation of a sawmill;
• A fire lit outdoors for the purpose of cooking and warmth, if enclosed in a fireplace so prepared as to prevent the escape of fire or any burning material.
What is a properly prepared fire place?
- A properly prepared fireplace means an area cleared of flammable material around and above the area, so as to prevent the escape of fire or burning material.
- Regardless of the type of fireplace, it is the responsibility of the person lighting the fire to ensure all precautions are taken to contain and control the fire.
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