Fire history of central Australia, 1972–1984
Note: Image derived from Landsat images and created as time since burnt prior to 1985 (Allan 1993). Fires during the period 1972–1979 are solid red,
and subsequent fires from 980 to 98 are hatched red. The fires have masked areas burnt by previous fires during the 90s. Pastoral leases are
green, Aboriginal Land Trusts are yellow and conservation areas are light red.
Fire has been used thorughout Australia for thousands of years, to clear overgrown areas, promote new growth, encourage game and make it easier to track smaller creatures. There is a lot of burning going on at present. This is the road going back into Alice Springs
Out with one of my Traditional Owner friends last week.
And here's another burnt area, this time on the other side of the road. There is a theory that the neglect of country that occurred after white settlers pushed Yapa off their lands was a major factor in the demise of so many of Australia's small mammals. Introduced predators are certainly a factor, but naturally occurring fires in neglected areas burn hotter, and the lack of regular cleared areas means that there are no safe places for the small animals to escape.
Fabulous bit of drone footage of a grass fire in this. And it's a good song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fsx7paa9_Y