targeted cool burns

Winter-Spring 2021

A cool wet Winter and a wet Spring so far as brought some perfect conditions for targeted cool, low intensity burning.

Blackberry thickets: the ground is waterlogged, and cool days with light winds and low humidity are good for doing Blackberry thicket burns. This reduces a prime fox den habitat and facilitates follow up control.

With no wind, wet soil and humidity over 50%, the ‘leaf blower’ enabled excellent fire management, both increasing and directing, and extinguishing, flames where required.

Post burn planted with matching Tussock Grass (Poa labillierdi), and spread with Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis) hay.

Kangaroo Grass thatch:

In some areas the Kangaroo Grass flower stalks, after a huge flowering season, form a thick thatch, which can affect the growth of other species. We have been doing some small patch thatch burns in the areas of Grassy Woodland identified as part of the fire management plan.

Very high humidity and no wind is good for these burns, as, especially this late in the season, the thatch is very flammable. The low intensity burns leave green growth under the light covering of cool filamentous ash. Good to have 2-3 people with fire rake-hoes (and a leaf blower, and fire unit where possible, for emergency fire control).

September 3

Kangaroo Grass thatch burn conditions September 3, 2021

After the burn

Two days and 45mm later

September 23: very high humidity (99%), very light sou’easterly, 2 people with rake-hoes.

September 28: 100% humidity and light sou’easterly, turning northerly over the hour, with forecast nor-westerly. Good to have the fire running downhill and into the wind. 3 people with rake-hoes, plus fire unit nearby. ‘Fire season’ starts on October 1.