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Catastrophic fires a warning to Heal Country
A Githabul fire practitioner’s call to ‘Heal Country’ or face the consequences has been actioned by land managers near Maryvale.
Fire Lore’s Robbie Williams made the comment on the back of the 2019/20 devastating fire season which saw more than 17-million hectares burned across Australia by uncontrolled bushfires.
Land managers Morgan and Alex Harding of ‘Almor Park’ have heeded the warning after the couple’s property was threatened by bush-fire in 2019. And despite their concerns about inviting fire back onto their property, the pair have overcome their fears in favour of early prevention.
“The bushfires burnt right up to our boundary and came in from every angle. It was hair raising. If it did get into our place, it could have gone through town,” Morgan Harding said.
Ms Harding knew she needed to do something to reduce the fuel load of her 90 hectare stud farm, so she enlisted the help of Southern Queensland Landscapes, who organised Fire Lore to implement a controlled ‘cool’ burn on part of the property.
Ms Harding said the 40 hectare area was also experiencing a weed issue, but it was impossible to get machinery like slashers to the area.
“The weed control with lantana and cotton bush was a really good bonus. It saved us time and money,” Ms Harding said.
“As well as reducing the fuel load, we wanted to get rid of dominant pastures which none of the animals seem to eat, and get rid of weeds without having to use chemicals. The cool burn seemed like a better idea than a controlled burn because it doesn't kill off the good pasture seeds and improves the soil health,” she said.
“We wanted to improve the pastures and soil quality there and we knew the fire would burn a lot of the stuff that was standing dead. In the long run, it will help get the nutrients back into the soil and allow better grasses to grow,”
Cultural fire management has been used for millennia in Australia by Traditional Owners to manage fire risk and restore Country.
‘Cool’ burning involves lighting small, weak fires that create a mosaic pattern as they pass through an area of land. The fire is carefully set so it can be controlled and maintain a cool temperature, to preserve grass seeds and keep the soil healthy.
“The only good fire is the right fire,” Robbie Williams said.
“Our cultural 'Cold' burning techniques remove excess fuels that can build up over time, decreasing the potential of uncontrolled wild bushfires,” Mr Williams said.
“The Earth was created from fire, and fire is what is needed to return things to as they were. The aim is to bring back what’s meant to be here. We’re trying to bring back the proper grasses,” he said.
“Everyone is a part of caring for the land. We want to show people and help the farmers.”
Land managers interested in undertaking cool burns should get in contact with Fire Lore via their website. https://www.firelore.earth/contactus
This project is supported by Southern Queensland Landscapes through funding from the Queensland Government’s Natural Resources Investment Program.
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