Bequests

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The precise approach to fire management varies from region to region. However, in general terms, our aim is to implement a fire management regime that creates a patchwork – or mosaic – of burnt and unburnt areas across the landscape.

Key objectives include:

• Limiting the extent and severity of wildfires.
• Maximising the area of “old growth” vegetation in the landscape, as such vegetation is critical for the survival of many species. In northern Australia, “old growth” vegetation means unburnt for 3 years, whereas in the mallee country at Scotia “old growth” means unburnt for several decades.

Our core strategy is to undertake prescribed burning – that is, to light fires across each sanctuary at the right time of the year and under the right conditions. These prescribed burns may be lit by dropping aerial incendiaries from helicopter or by ground-based ignition lines. Our prescribed fires are designed to be “cool”, moving slowly through the landscape without consuming all of the vegetation in their path. A successful prescribed burn serves to reduce the risk of wildfire and to minimise the damage caused by any wildfire that does occur (e.g., by protecting old-growth vegetation). We also establish and maintain fire breaks (often around roads) where appropriate.

When a wildfire does occur, AWC staff swing into action with highly co-ordinated fire suppression activities involving helicopters and ground-based fire response units.