Letter

In response to Logging and thinning are putting Alpine Ash forests at risk

Stop making our forests more flammable

It is shocking that only 0.47 per cent of Alpine Ash forests in the Central Highlands is old growth. You would think that statistic alone would be enough to preserve these forests, yet research by David Lindenmayer, Chris Taylor and Phil Zylstra shows current practices such as thinning, fire breaks and prescribed burning are making forests more flammable. Old forests are less flammable because their dense canopy keeps them moist, and they contain fewer fine fuels and more decomposed material, reducing ignition and spread.

Climate change is making conditions more favourable for severe thunderstorms and “dry lightning,” increasing bushfire ignition risk. The obvious strategy is to stop making forests more flammable and instead invest in new technologies. The FireSat constellation being developed by the Earth Fire Alliance will detect 5m-by-5m fires and refresh data every 20 minutes. Canada’s FireSwarm Solutions is developing ultra-heavy lift drone fleets capable of carrying 400 kg of retardant. Such systems use GPS, AI and infrared sensors to monitor and fight fires even at night. SA, Tas, NSW and Qld are listed as early adopters of FireSat. With devastating fires in 2009, 2019, 2020 and 2026, Victoria should be too.

FireSat https://www.earthfirealliance.org/#our-solution and https://time.com/collections/best-inventions-2025/7318230/firesat/ FireSwarm https://www.fireswarmsolutions.com/

— Ray Peck from Hawthorn