[cmroanirgo]

I've seen this argumentation quite a lot, even in the local media, but there are quite a lot of factors that have built up to a series of bushfires the size of Belgium (some 3 million hectares): notably has been the refusal to allow back burning (a safety measure), failing to follow the advice of the indigenous in fire management, reduction in spending on the fire brigades itself, the remoteness and inaccessibility of the fires (Oz had a very low population density, meaning no roads), and rugged terrain. To then have 30m flame height, means that fire trucks are ineffective.

As someone who's been in the shadow of fire for nearly 2 straight months, I can clearly attest to the death of animals. Never before have I seen so many roos in my area, hit by cars, as everyone is fleeing the choking smoke and flames.

To chalk it all up to climate change (which is clearly a factor) is both disingenuous and rather disrespectful to the amazing volunteers that are out there fighting these monstrous fires.

Please refrain from deliberately adding a political angle to what is a highly stressful time.

[jamil7]

Can I ask in what way the grandparent is being disrespectful? This has been used as an evasion tactic of the liberal government whenever asked about the connection between the fires and climate change. The culmination of reasons you listed in your first paragraph (which I agree with) above are all, in my opinion political and should be able to be discussed. Please refrain from policing people's political opinions.

[cam_l]

The refusal to use back burning / fuel reduction has been fairly widely reported and also very thoroughly refuted. But if all you read is country newspapers or the Australian (or worse) you may be forgiven for thinking those damn greenies are to blame.

The truth of the matter is back burning (controlled burning in the path of the fire to stop it's spread) is very much still used when it is safe. The issue is the strong hot winds have meant several of these efforts have gotten out of control. Fuel reduction burning has been increased substantially in the last decade but the climate conditions mean the areas needed for fuel reduction are widening at a greater rate and the windows of safe burning are closing down.

Chalking it up to climate change is what most of the volunteers are doing. Saying otherwise is disrespectful, disingenuous and highly political.