Conclusion

Fuel reduction - one of the most important keys to better fire management practices

As we have seen, there is much that people can do for themselves and their environment to minimise the intensity and severity of a fire. Of particular interest to the authorities is the policy of fuel reduction, which is perhaps the most important first step in protecting people, property and the environment.

It is important to remember that not all fires are bad. For example, fire is now part of the Australian landscape, and native plants have not only adapted to fire, but actually need fire to germinate their seeds. On the other hand, fire can have a devastating impact on human life, the lives of animals, and the property. In order to minimise the loss of life, property and the environment from severe bush fires, careful preventative measures must be taken by all concerned well before a fire approaches people and property.

Who is responsible for creating fires - people or the environment?

However, in order to manage the threat of a fire in the most effective and sustainable way, we have to deal with the following aspects:

1. The environment
   We need to reduce the amount of fuel in the environment, and/or reduce the flammability of the fuel
2. The people
   Up to two thirds of all bushfires are thought to be caused by people, either accidentally or deliberately. It would, therefore, be prudent to understand why people start fires and, more importantly, to help them to avoid behaviours that have such a negative impact on the environment.

   As for people who are faced with a fire through no fault of their own, it can be difficult to know what to do. It is therefore important for people to prepare an action plan of what to do. Write down on a piece of paper the things that need to be done and ready in the event of a fire. Make this plan available and accessible to everyone. Pre-fire planning before will help people to think clearly and calmly about all the steps to take in the event of a fire.

Understanding people and changing their behaviours

To begin with, people need to understand themselves and their actions, because a majority of fires in the environment are either started deliberately (by piling up fuel and igniting it out of anger or in attention-seeking ways) or accidentally (i.e. allowing dead or dry vegetation to accumulate on the ground, throwing carelessly a cigarette butt out of a car window, and/or using machinery with metal blades at the wrong time of the day). Only effective education, counselling and other forms of support will help people to understand how their actions can start a serious fire.

For example, psychologist Rebekah Doley said:

"You won't find it written anywhere, but in my experience the common theme among them [the deliberate firestarters] is power. Fire, inherently, is a powerful tool. Bushfire arsonists tend to be underachievers who are not getting what they want because they don't have the skills. Fire gives them that moment of power. It is a vicarious experience for them. Many stay to watch or they monitor the fire's progress through the media.

'They are extremely dangerous because they are unpredictable and their fires have no boundaries. They also tend to be serial offenders and, in my experience, most will not stop until caught. Like more arsonists they light fires without regard to the consequences. But while some uban arsonists light fires in, say vacant buildings where there is little damage, bushfires cause inevitable harm, often to many people, animals and properties." (Wainwright, Robert. Look at what I've done: The Sydney Morning Herald. 7-8 January 2006, p.13 (pp.13 & 16).)

When people feel less important and/or powerless to affect their environment or influence other people because of poverty, unemployment, low education and skills or other circumstances, they are likely to balance this situation by starting fires. So don't be surprised if arsonists become volunteer firefighters just to make themselves feel more important. They can also influence people by forcing citizens to protect homes or leave the area, and by informing the authorities about fires they see in the area.

Anger is not usually the primary motivation for starting the fire, although it is a possibility. It can be as simple as a lack of self-love and love from others, in not having what they need like everyone else has, and not knowing that they are a worthy contributor to society that can make all the difference.

We must show our love to everyone, starting as young as possible. And we must show that people are valuable members of society.

Changing the environment

Secondly, there are also a large number of naturally caused fires, such as lightning strikes, and there is much we can do in our immediate environment to minimise the spread of these fires and their impact on people's lives. For example, we can remove excess fuel before it dries out and becomes a fire hazard. We can also start planting less flammable trees on a large scale. We can expand water supplies on the ground, not just to help fight fires, but also to influence weather patterns and perhaps increase rainfall in fire-prone areas.

Long-term solutions require people and the environment to work together

While there are human behaviour issues that need to be addressed in disadvantaged people through effective education and counselling and other forms of social support if a truly long term solution is to be found for lit bush fires, whether acidental or deliberately started, the most effective immediate solution for controlling bush fires at the moment is through fuel reduction management practices.

And in the long-term, if we can support people properly and getting people to receive rewards for working with nature and get nature to work with people, we will have much better fire management for the 21st century and beyond.

We hope this brief free information section will go some way towards helping people become aware of the dangers of fire and what to do when faced with the awesome power that is fire.