Shed Provider Warns Perth: Bushfires Could Get Worse
Announcement posted by Action Sheds Australia 28 May 2013
Action Sheds Australia reveals why Perth area bushfires could increase to dangerous levels if action isn't taken to prevent them.
Perth, WA, May 28, 2013 - In a recent blog post, Action Sheds Australia examined the Western Australia bushfires during the 2012-13 season, and contrasted the current bushfire season to the last 52 years of history. As a premier provider of sheds to the Perth area, and a certified ShedSafe distributor, Action Sheds Australia takes a special interest in safety.
Western Australia has seen 15 noteworthy bushfires so far this season, which is counted from June 2012 through May of this year. The Perth Metro area, when adding in the fringes, has been home to four of them.
The first was in the Shire of Gingin, in the wheatbelt and on the very outside of the Perth Metro area. 65 hectares were burned, and 50 firefighters kept the flames from spreading to residential areas. Next, on 21st February, 2,000 hectares would be consumed near Bindoon, with minimal property damage.
The closest fire to Perth itself occurred on 26th February, when 150 hectares of bushland in Upper Swan burned, and many residents were evacuated. The area escaped major property damage. On 28th February, 1,500 hectares of bushland burned at Shady Hills, located in Bullsbrook. Once again, major property damage was avoided.
Perth escaped major damage, but bushfires across Australia have been on the rise. The Northern Territory had three fires in October where over 100,000 hectares were burned. South Australia saw a fire in November that consumed seven houses, along with vehicles and sheds on the properties. In January, in Victoria, a total of 75,000 hectares would burn in a bushfire that destroyed at least 22 houses and caused at least one death.
Tasmania, though, would suffer the most debilitating bushfires of the season, with major breakouts in January and February. Tasmania suffered major property damage, deaths, and missing persons.
Many feel that the fires have been caused by a combination of a very hot summer and insufficient fuel management. Fuel management is the controlled burning of bushland. In 1961, a series of bushfires that is known to many insiders as the “Great Teaching Event” burned more than 500,000 hectares.
Even though WA had firefighting techniques and technology as good as any at the time, they were not able to contain this series of fires. Consequently, they would shift their focus to managing the fuel for bushfires in a series of controlled burns. For 25 years, bushfires were, for the most part, kept at bay.
However, controlled burns have decreased since the late 1980's, with a corresponding increase in bushfires. According to Max Italiano, owner of Action Sheds Australia, the numbers indicate a direct cause and effect relationship between the decrease of controlled burnings and the increase of uncontrolled bushfires.
According to Italiano, “The numbers don't lie. We know that it has been hot lately, but if one compares two graphs, one on top of the other, of controlled burns and bushfires, it is impossible not to see the connection. Simply stated, the more controlled burns we have, the less bushfires we have.”
Italiano continued, “I don't know where the funding comes from, but I think the DEC and DFES need to take a serious look at increasing controlled burnings before bushfires get even worse.”
Italiano concluded, “We got lucky this year, but we can't depend on luck forever.”
Action Sheds Australia provides ShedSafe certified sheds in the Perth area for industrial and residential applications. To find out more, call 1300 778 628 or visit their website: http://www.actionsheds.com.au/.
Western Australia has seen 15 noteworthy bushfires so far this season, which is counted from June 2012 through May of this year. The Perth Metro area, when adding in the fringes, has been home to four of them.
The first was in the Shire of Gingin, in the wheatbelt and on the very outside of the Perth Metro area. 65 hectares were burned, and 50 firefighters kept the flames from spreading to residential areas. Next, on 21st February, 2,000 hectares would be consumed near Bindoon, with minimal property damage.
The closest fire to Perth itself occurred on 26th February, when 150 hectares of bushland in Upper Swan burned, and many residents were evacuated. The area escaped major property damage. On 28th February, 1,500 hectares of bushland burned at Shady Hills, located in Bullsbrook. Once again, major property damage was avoided.
Perth escaped major damage, but bushfires across Australia have been on the rise. The Northern Territory had three fires in October where over 100,000 hectares were burned. South Australia saw a fire in November that consumed seven houses, along with vehicles and sheds on the properties. In January, in Victoria, a total of 75,000 hectares would burn in a bushfire that destroyed at least 22 houses and caused at least one death.
Tasmania, though, would suffer the most debilitating bushfires of the season, with major breakouts in January and February. Tasmania suffered major property damage, deaths, and missing persons.
Many feel that the fires have been caused by a combination of a very hot summer and insufficient fuel management. Fuel management is the controlled burning of bushland. In 1961, a series of bushfires that is known to many insiders as the “Great Teaching Event” burned more than 500,000 hectares.
Even though WA had firefighting techniques and technology as good as any at the time, they were not able to contain this series of fires. Consequently, they would shift their focus to managing the fuel for bushfires in a series of controlled burns. For 25 years, bushfires were, for the most part, kept at bay.
However, controlled burns have decreased since the late 1980's, with a corresponding increase in bushfires. According to Max Italiano, owner of Action Sheds Australia, the numbers indicate a direct cause and effect relationship between the decrease of controlled burnings and the increase of uncontrolled bushfires.
According to Italiano, “The numbers don't lie. We know that it has been hot lately, but if one compares two graphs, one on top of the other, of controlled burns and bushfires, it is impossible not to see the connection. Simply stated, the more controlled burns we have, the less bushfires we have.”
Italiano continued, “I don't know where the funding comes from, but I think the DEC and DFES need to take a serious look at increasing controlled burnings before bushfires get even worse.”
Italiano concluded, “We got lucky this year, but we can't depend on luck forever.”
Action Sheds Australia provides ShedSafe certified sheds in the Perth area for industrial and residential applications. To find out more, call 1300 778 628 or visit their website: http://www.actionsheds.com.au/.