It’s climate change, not 'greens' standing in the way of fuel reduction burns

In April 2005, a fire burnt much of Victoria’s beloved national park at Wilsons Promontory leading to the evacuation of holidaymakers from Tidal River. The fire was the result of a fuel reduction burn, which escaped 10 days after it was lit when the weather became hot and windy. I remember it well as I was Victoria’s environment minister at the time, responsible for the park and the burn.

‘Fuel reduction burns should not be used
 as a weapon in the culture wars in order
 to divert attention from the need to act
on climate change.’

The then premier Steve Bracks was one of the campers evacuated.

In 2015 a fuel reduction burn at Lancefield in Victoria escaped, causing a fire that destroyed six homes and caused a great deal of anguish for the local community. There have been many such instances of fuel reduction burns escaping and causing damage in different parts of Australia. The risk of putting fire in the landscape for fuel reduction is real.

For years, elements of the media have promoted the idea that “greenies” and environmentalists have prevented fuel reduction burning. This particularly suits those with an agenda to deny climate change as it simultaneously advances the culture war against environmentalists and draws attention away from the need to take action on climate change. As environment minister, I don’t recall ever being influenced or lobbied by environmentalists or “greens” to stop fuel reduction burns.

Read the story from The Guardian by John Thwaites - “It’s climate change, not 'greens' standing in the way of fuel reduction burns.”