In February 2009 bush fires raged in Victoria causing millions of dollars worth of damage. Now comes the analysis of what went wrong. A Royal Commission, no less, is investigating the circumstances of the fires, why they did so much damage, took so many lives and what could have been done better. 1
Saturday, February 7th has been christened Black Saturday. 26 years ago the fires came on a Wednesday, now called Ash Wednesday.2
Same scenario with the weather, the dead undergrowth in the forests, and no breaks to slow the fires progress. 3
Why did it happen again? The fires from 26 years ago had their doctors doing postmortems and making recommendations. What happened? Nothing at all. Had there been any notice taken of that inquiry 26 years ago, perhaps some of those who lost their lives this year would still be alive.4
The same situation exists wherever there is a bush fire prone area. The past fires have taught the powers in control nothing at all5
and I wonder if the current Royal Commission will achieve anything except provide a good income for lawyers and beaurocrats during the time it's running.6
I would like to think otherwise but political will only lasts as long as the sensation of the moment. Prevention is better than cure. So why not make breaks in the forests to prevent the fires from becoming so big and so hot that they cannot be fought.7
Bush fire has, as I see it, three stages:8
1. Bush fire - Can be fought and controlled9
2. Wild Fire - Difficult to fight but reasonably small area10
3. Fire Storm - Unstoppable and unfightable.11
Which would you want in you home area. You live there, you know what you stand to lose next time, stand up now and have your say about the prevention of the next possible 'Fire Storm'.12
It is a pointless exercise looking for someone to blame, that person may not be there in 10 , 20 years or whatever, but the fire will; with all trees blazing.13
Author notes
I am no expert, just an old guy who has seen it all before.
comments ?
Comments
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A good commentary as usual. Well-written.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Hi Marta, life in a fire prone area is always a big concern in the summers. We usually manage to live with it, as do others in other countries. Many thanks for you visit and comment.
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Aren't we all one of those old guys! An excellent piece Bob on a very challenging subject. Here in the states the same problem persists and we never seem to learn, at the very least the powers that be donot.
Happy trails.
David
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The big problem is with the politics. The elected members come and go and the most important thing for them is to get elected, full stop.
Fires can start from a lightning strike and by the time the fire is noticed it well on its way.
It is a world wide problem wherever there are forests to burns and hot sun to dry them out.
Thanks David, for you comments, you understand what I'm on about.
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