Common sense must be our weapon against bushfires

In regards to the dangerous bushfires still raging in Australia — burning homes and killing animals and wildlife — they don’t have to happen (“Dry heat to fuel weekend bushfire danger”, 13/9).

About 30 or 40 years ago, farmers, land-owners and agriculturists looked after their own situations and it all worked. We carried out preventative, controlled burning at the right time of the day and the right time of the year, with slow, easy burns clearing out basic amounts of tinder and undergrowth and just not allowing it to build up into an uncontrollable situation, as it does today.

The loony left, and the rabid do-gooders have somehow influenced the situation and the result has been massive destruction.

Farmers know their land and how to look after it safely, with controlled burns, fire breaks, and common sense. We have to disregard the city-centric greenies. Wake up, bureaucrats, and bring back common sense again.

Colin Baker, Pentland, Qld

Vast areas have been devastated by bushfires in Queensland.

The Greens claim these are caused by climate change and are by far the worst in the state’s history. About 70 years ago, a much larger area of land was devastated by bushfires in the state. Bushfires have been occurring for thousands of years here in Australia. Why are they now blamed on the mythical monster of climate change?

As the saying goes, it is easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled.

Jack Sonnemann, Lucaston, Tas

There can hardly be a worse crime than starting a bushfire. The damage is unquantifiable, with potential for death, destruction and families losing everything.

Authorities face enormous challenges, and are forced to show unbelievable human bravery despite personal risk and injury. Financial consequences are profound and across the board. Environmental destruction can be widespread with unimaginable suffering for wildlife.

What punishment could fit this crime?

There needs to be a serious community resolve as the problem does not go away, but poses an ongoing threat.

Sandra Finster, Auchenflower, Qld

The defence of our nation and border security are managed by the federal government.

But every state has an emergency agency to combat disasters such as bushfires and floods. We have been reading about the possible use of night-time aerial waterbombing and large aircraft to assist in combating large-scale bushfires (“Call to add night-time choppers to firefight”, 12/9). One state has proven that out-of-hours waterbombing has merit when others are reluctant to take that step. Operational costs always need to be factored into response activities as budget blowouts compromise future seasonal strategies.

I believe it is high time that a national emergency service funded by the federal government supported state and territory services. National disasters know no boundaries.

A national command would ensure a suitable distribution of resources and weight of response during times of need. New Zealand has a national commander. It’s time for Australia to give this matter serious consideration.

Mike Flanigan , Toowoomba, Qld

With many bushfires raging in Queensland and northeast NSW, isn’t it about time we asked the question why?

Sure, temperatures may be higher and rainfall lower, but heat and wind don’t set the bush on fire. For that, we need a source of ignition. Recent research suggests that 40 per cent of fires are deliberately lit, and that population density is a major factor.

Focusing our attention on putting out the fires and simultaneously blaming climate change seem to be our usual response. But fire-fighting resources are limited, and there is nothing we can do about climate change in the short to medium term.

So it makes sense to better understand the motivations and actions of arsonists, with the potential to reduce the incidence of fires by 40 per cent. Why is this only mentioned when we — very rarely — actually manage to catch some of them?

Alan Dormer, South Yarra, Vic