Australia and Fire

Fire has historically shaped the continent of Australia, but it can be completely removed from the landscape.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Fire cannot be eliminated. We can minimise the risk and threat of big fires, but there will always be the possibility of accidental sparks and natural causes such as lightning.

What do bushfires impact?

• the economy and property

• the carbon cycle

• life and biodiversity

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Bushfires impact biodiversity, they threaten life and property, they effect the economy (cost of recovery, tourism etc.) and they release a massive amount of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Bushfires have increased in frequency and intensity due to....

• Climate change

• Land clearing

• Land mismanagement that began after colonisation

• solar power

Answer explanation

Climate change = hotter, drier summers, more extreme weather events which increases the risk of fire

Land mismanagement = build up of fuel availability means that fires can grow in intensity and size.

When land clearing is done properly it can actually create fire breaks and minimise the potential for fires to grow (lowers fuel availability)

Solar power results in a low carbon footprint, that helps mitigate climate change.

Controlled burning can be used as a way to minimise overall carbon emissions.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

While smaller fires still release CO2, they ultimately prevent the massive release of CO2 that a big bushfire would cause

Controlled burning can be used as a tool to.....

• clear invasive plant species

• create employment opportunities and help the economy

• minimise fuel loads available for bushfires

• empower and validate the knowledge of Indigenous people

Answer explanation

By calling upon the expertise of Indigenous Australians and scientists, controlled burning can be utilised to control what plants thrive and regenerate, minimise the scope and intensity of bushfires (which threaten life, property and the economy) and create employment opportunities.

What are the 2 major things that need to be considered before conducting controlled burning?

• weather conditions

• air pollution

• the terrain (the physical features of the land)

• ocean acidification

Answer explanation

weather conditions: too wet/too hot and dry/windy conditions mean that burning cannot take place.

the terrain: too much fuel may have already built up making it dangerous to burn, it may be on a slope which effects the rate of burning, it may be private property

(ocean acidification and air pollution are unrelated)

Which is the deadliest bushfire in Australian history?

• Ash Wednesday

• Black Friday

• Black Saturday

Answer explanation

Ash Wednesday (year 1983) - 75 people lost their lives

Black Friday (year 1939) - 71 people lost their lives

Black Saturday (2009) - 173 people lost their lives

Who was effected by the Australian bushfires?

• People in South America

• People in bushfire affected zones

• People in Australian cities far from rural areas

• People in New Zealand

Answer explanation

People outside of bushfire affected zones were still subjected to "hazardous" air quality, New Zealand and countries in South America were also affected by smoke.

The oldest structure in the world exists in.....

• Egypt (the pyramids)

• 4 hours from Albert Park (aquaculture)

• Central America (Aztec ruins)

• Cambodia (Angkor Wat)

Answer explanation

The Budj Bim Cultural landscape was constructed at least 6,600 years by the Gunditjmara people and is an aquaculture system used to trap eels, it is located in Victoria.

Egyptians Pyramids - 2500 BC (~4500 years)

Angkor Wat - 12th century (~900 years)

Aztec Ruins - 12th century (~900 years)

What is your level of understanding of fire activity in Australia?

• 1. Acquiring "I am not confident yet"

• 2. Consolidating "I have a basic understanding"

• 3. Refining "I understand the important information"

• 4.Mastery "I am very confident"