EcoFire dramatically changes Kimberley fire patterns
Comparison of early-dry season and late- dry season
fire scars from 2004-2007. Following EcoFire’s
prescribed burn program, early-dry season
fires formed a larger proportion of the annual
fire-affected area in 2007.
AWC’s analysis of satellite imagery demonstrated that fire patterns within the project region had improved within one year. Results include:
- mid-to-late dry season fires made-up a much smaller proportion of all fires than previous years;
- unplanned fires were much smaller in size; and
- the dispersion of burnt and unburnt vegetation was much ‘grainier’ – there were many more small patches, and they were spread more evenly throughout the project area.
This reduction in the extent of intense fires is expected to benefit biodiversity, improve pastoral production, and limit damage to cultural sites.
The effectiveness of the 2008 prescribed burn program will be assessed using satellite imagery at the end of the year.
EcoFire is successful because it:
- operates on a regional rather than property scale;
- effectively engages the community in fire management; and
- has strong support and active participation from organisations and stakeholder groups with an interest in the region’s fire management including Rangelands WA.
EcoFire community members and staff (AWC)
“I am a licensed chopper pilot, and some of my time now is spent with contract aerial incendiary work. I believe that smaller fires spread throughout the year creating varied fire histories are preferable than one large burn, and I hope I help achieve this with the chopper service”
(Butch Maher, EcoFire Helicopter pilot).