Perhaps half our bushfires may be deliberately lit

In 2008 the Australian Institute of Criminology completed an extensive analysis of bushfire data collected by fire agencies over five years on approximately 280,000 vegetation fires.

The study highlighted that 6 per cent were caused naturally by lightning strikes and so forth; 13 per cent were confirmed as being deliberately lit (arson); a further 37 per cent were found to have started in “suspicious” circumstances. A whopping 37 per cent were started “accidentally” by humans. The balance (9 per cent) was attributed to reignition of fires and other causes.

The study concluded that for all vegetation fires for which there was a cause recorded, 50 per cent may have been be deliberately lit. But, this is just a snapshot of the five years to 2008 and provides no evidence of whether arson is increasing or decreasing.

Reports that 183 arson arrests associated with these fires in suggests that it is increasing. So why is bushfire arson being ignored?

Wayne Mills, Beechworth, Vic

With hazard reduction burning being such an important component of the measures needed to improve bushfire prevention, it is frustrating to see its value and effectiveness being continually questioned (“Degrees of burn control”, 8/1).

Given the severe effects of these bushfires, it should by now be self-evident that calls to limit hazard reduction burning based on ecological and smoke concerns represents a lack of perspective.

Similarly, calls for its use to be restricted to areas close to towns and farmland are misguided given that so many fires have been ignited in and have burnt through remote forests in which reduced fuel loads would have lessened fire severity and ecological effects, while assisting control efforts.

It is notable that much of the disquiet about hazard reduction burning emanates from conservation academics who are not experts in burn planning and conduct, and have never seen its bushfire mitigation benefits in the field.

Mark Poynter, Kew, Vic

There has been a suggestion that Liberal MP Craig Kelly embarrassed the government in making the point that the prime contributor to the severity of the fires has been the build-up of fuel on the forest floor. David Littleproud and Josh Frydenberg, in castigating Kelly, thereby confirm the suspicion the Morrison government is still in the grip of the progressive elites when it comes to the science of climate change.

The fact that Anthony Albanese joined the chorus is indicative of the groupthink at play in these high levels of government.

Frank Pulsford, Aspley, Qld

Following the tragic bushfires and with more to come unfortunately, there has been talk about the need for hazard reduction in heavily vegetated bushland, including parks and state forests.

In NSW forests this has been done since the early 1920s and carried out by forest workers under the supervision of trained foresters.

There used to be bushfire prevention associations and they were set up to carry out broad-area hazard reduction on vacant crown land.

With the influence of green political parties, hazard reduction has been put on the back burner by governments of all persuasions. Now, this policy of reducing fuel on the floor of our bushland is the main topic in the media, and it must be observed by those in power.

Lesley Beckhouse, Queanbeyan. NSW

Here I was thinking that people can’t get any lower than looting the properties of bushfire victims when along come some greenies. To read that these people were celebrating the fire destroying the stockpile of wood chips at the Eden timber mill is way beyond the pale.

With the potential loss of approximately 600 local jobs, the livelihood of its residents and the town itself is in great jeopardy. The big problem that society has with greenies is that most are city dwellers who have secure abodes and employment. They can go to their coffee shops every morning and conduct their leftist conversations while hard-working Australians just get on with life and its challenges.

One of the reasons for the horrific nature of these fires is the undue influence the green movement has had on bushfire management over the past 20 years. And seeing that this is a state responsibility, Scott Morrison can in no way be held responsible.

Peter D. Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic