There are already signs that this summer could be a really bad one for bushfires.
The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre has issued a hazard note for the coming season. Nationally, its says rainfall since August has been below average to very much below average across most of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, with South Australia recording its driest October on record.
“Climate models suggest current conditions will either persist or strengthen, with at least a 70 per cent chance of El Niño occurring. Regardless of whether El Niño fully develops, warmer-than-average tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures, combined with cooler waters currently to the north of Australia, increase the chance of some El Niño-like impacts.
“For many parts of Australia, this suggests below average rainfall and above average temperatures in the months ahead.”
For Tasmania the CRC says dry conditions in September and October were only relieved by significant rain in the last week of October. Difficult fires had already occurred and the total fire ban called on September 28 was the earliest ban since 1987.
“The central part of the east coast extending into Fingal continues to have above normal fire season potential. Without an improvement in conditions, the area from St Helens down to Marion Bay and through the Midlands and lower Derwent Valley are all likely to have above normal potential at the beginning of summer.”
The CRC’S warning comes as the TFGA joins with the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) and the State Fire Management Council to launch a new publication, Farming communities and the TFS working together to reduce bushfire risk.
The aim is to provide clear and consistent advice to farmers and their communities about managing bushfire risk.
If you are sensible you will get a copy, read it and stick it on the fridge.
This partnership has been a great example of how working together can deliver great on-ground outcomes. The end result is much more than a brochure – important as that may be.
As we are frequently reminded by experts like those quoted above, bushfires are an ever-present threat across the state. This is a threat that can affect all Tasmanians – directly, if you’re faced with the aftermath of a fire; or indirectly, as we come together to support those in the community that have been affected.
Farmers are an integral part of this community resilience. Many local volunteer bushfire brigades exist only as a result of farmers’ continuing commitment to this vital service. They give of their own time and energy to be the front line troops in difficult times. They will often be out fighting fires away from home when their own properties and farms are at risk. They are there with unquestioning support and generosity for their mates and their families after a fire event.
Their efforts and commitment needs to be recognised as we prepare for yet another risky fire season.
Our urban cousins need to understand the importance of controlled burns as a tool in fire preparedness. Yes, there will be some smoke, and perhaps even some minor inconvenience – but that’s just part of living in our beautiful landscape.
Our government also needs to understand and commit to its role as a land manager. With more than half of the state now in public ownership, the government has considerable responsibilities for fire management on its own land. In many cases, farmers are neighbours to this state-owned land; and they expect the land-owner to undertake the same sort of activities as any other land-owner would to ensure fires don’t start on their property and, if they do, that there are control measures in place to minimise impacts on adjoining lands.
The state government has committed to working with farming community to establish a ‘good neighbour’ charter. That charter needs to include a commitment to sharing fencing costs and management of boundary environments – just as would be the case under law in any other neighbor relationship.
Coming together in the face of disaster is an underpinning strength of our communities. This requires a shared commitment and a shared trust.
Farmers have delivered in spades. It is time for others to follow suit.
The publication Farming communities and the TFS working together to reduce bushfire risk is available from the TFGA and the TFS.
TFGA Chief Executive Jan Davis
