
News Roundup 23rd February
Its been a quiet bushfire season so far, but Shane Fitzsimmons was still making the news – for all the wrong reasons. This is one of a number of stories from across the state in our News Roundup.

A Question of Burning Urgency
Of all the factors that contribute to the intensity of a fire (temperature, wind speed, humidity, topography, fuel moisture and fuel load), only fuel load can be readily modified by human effort, but bearing in mind that since the industrial revolution it is now clear that humans have also modified the world’s temperature, and action on emissions may eventually assist to bring this down.
Citation: Emergency Leaders for Climate Action

Fire and Blame
As bushfires peaked in the Australian summer of 2019-20, we heard a lot of the myth of climate change as the prime cause of the flames’ spread and severity. In this article, Christine Finlay addresses climate change and a second myth, mostly promoted by politicians and leaders of bushfire management organisations: that an appropriate response is to promise a thorough review of bushfire management (via royal commissions or otherwise) while pre-emptively pouring yet more taxpayer dollars into fire-fighting organisations and aerial firefighting, in particular. This is the latest instance of a repeated pattern, more likely to worsen rather than improve the situation.

Mullins has gone too far
AFAC’s CEO Stuart Ellis, in a well balanced piece, corrects a number of ex-APAC CEO Greg Mullins incorrect statements on hazard reduction and climate change.
It is most refreshing to see such clarity of view on the importance proper land management and effective fuel reduction has to play in managing the environment for climate change.
Thank you Mr Ellis!

Management of National Parks adjoining private land
I am writing to support the NSW Farmers proposal for grazing to be re-introduced into Crown Lands including National Parks.
I believe this need only be applied in marginal areas around National Parks which cannot be protected from fire by graded fire breaks. Many National Parks boundaries are on very steep and inaccessible areas thereby making fire and stock control very difficult.

News Roundup Australia Day January 26th
Our first News Roundup for the year features some defence force photos of the fire their helicopter started un the Orroral Valley. One of many stories from around the state.