Be prepared for another summer of “UNPRECEDENTED” weather, fire, flood and/or drought events… according to the media, politicians and other so-called “expert” commentators. Even their headlines and storylines are no longer unprecedented. They’re plainly boring and false, while Chris is never so.
Fascinating breakdown on how outdated models shape fire policy. The nuclear physics metaphor for leaf litter accumulation is wild when you consider how fundamentally different forest ecology actualy works. Adams point about modeling culture displacing fieldwork hits hard becuz it's not just about fire policy. It's emblematic of how institutional inertia and convenience trump empirical observation across environmental management. The Aboriginal fire managment legacy is the real lesson here and we keep ignoring thousands of years of proven knowledge for models that don't even match reality.
When local authorities refuse to burn road verges on the grounds that it harms species diversity you know you are in trouble. Many native seeds are conditioned to sprout when smoke activated. If you want to conserve diversity you must burn. If fire takes out the lower branches that pruning should be considered a positive. Any orchardist knows that trees need to be thinned if you want to promote the growth of the larger trees that are appropriately spaced. There is a requirement to intelligently manage what you have.
It’s strange to watch the elite class give credence to indigenous myths yet ignore their real experiences and practices … such as dealing with fire mitigation.
Thanks to both Chris & Mike for your great work during the year. It’s very satisfying to read stuff based on truth, experience and wisdom.
Merry Xmas to all… and let’s hope the world moves in the RIGHT direction next year.
Be prepared for another summer of “UNPRECEDENTED” weather, fire, flood and/or drought events… according to the media, politicians and other so-called “expert” commentators. Even their headlines and storylines are no longer unprecedented. They’re plainly boring and false, while Chris is never so.
Fascinating breakdown on how outdated models shape fire policy. The nuclear physics metaphor for leaf litter accumulation is wild when you consider how fundamentally different forest ecology actualy works. Adams point about modeling culture displacing fieldwork hits hard becuz it's not just about fire policy. It's emblematic of how institutional inertia and convenience trump empirical observation across environmental management. The Aboriginal fire managment legacy is the real lesson here and we keep ignoring thousands of years of proven knowledge for models that don't even match reality.
When local authorities refuse to burn road verges on the grounds that it harms species diversity you know you are in trouble. Many native seeds are conditioned to sprout when smoke activated. If you want to conserve diversity you must burn. If fire takes out the lower branches that pruning should be considered a positive. Any orchardist knows that trees need to be thinned if you want to promote the growth of the larger trees that are appropriately spaced. There is a requirement to intelligently manage what you have.
It’s strange to watch the elite class give credence to indigenous myths yet ignore their real experiences and practices … such as dealing with fire mitigation.
Thanks to both Chris & Mike for your great work during the year. It’s very satisfying to read stuff based on truth, experience and wisdom.
Merry Xmas to all… and let’s hope the world moves in the RIGHT direction next year.