Victorian Fires

[MrBurns]

Well the reason that dams are built is so communities have access to fresh water. In order for those dams to both catch and store that water they require trees in order for the natural cycle of precipitation to occur.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precipitation_(meteorology)

I just remember it from Form 1 science in High School back in the mid-80's.
Similar to the diagram below I found on wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Water_cycle.png

So if we log around the catchments then science states that less rainfall will occur. Melbourne has had the lowest rainfall and also the lowest water storage on record. Now either this is a once in a century event or de-sal plants will be built in Victoria which will "supposedly" solve the problem. I think they are planning one right now down near Leongatha. FYI

If your still not clear on what I'm talking about, this website has some great info about clearfell logging near Victorian water-catchments.

http://www.vicrainforest.org/Melbwater.php

Im no expert just using common sense but there needs to be reasonable clearance around populated areas. If that had been the case here we may have had a bushfire and not a firestorm holocaust, though the conditions on the day meant it would have been one hell of a bushfire in any case.

 

[GumbyLearner]

Im no expert just using common sense but there needs to be reasonable clearance around populated areas. If that had been the case here we may have had a bushfire and not a firestorm holocaust, though the conditions on the day meant it would have been one hell of a bushfire in any case.

Well there has been plenty of clearing near the Armstrong and Thomson Catchments for years and not by householders but by business. Many surrounding areas were still engulfed by fire.

The reason - its too dry! No rain. Not "tree-huggers" my friend or volunteer firefighters for that matter. Just business as usual

 

[Prospector]

Im no expert just using common sense but there needs to be reasonable clearance around populated areas. If that had been the case here we may have had a bushfire and not a firestorm holocaust, though the conditions on the day meant it would have been one hell of a bushfire in any case.

Thats the catch; people move to these areas because of the bushland. On the other hand, Saturday was the worst day I can ever remember, and if a fire had have started in the Adelaide Hills, then many suburbs of Adelaide would have been affected, not just the bushland.

 

[cuttlefish]

The Authority
CFA falls within the State Government portfolio of the Department of Justice and reports to the Minister of Police and Emergency Services.

The Authority was constituted under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and is ultimately responsible for CFA's overall performance and compliance with legislation and best practice. The Authority is the formal link between the community, the State Government, CFA members and Volunteer Associations.

The 12 member Authority comprises the CFA Chairman and members appointed by the Governor in Council. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is appointed by the Authority and is responsible for implementing policies and general business administration.


And on funding:

Under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958, CFA receives funding of annual estimated expenditure through the State Government, insurance companies (through fire service levies on insurance premiums) and from other companies under Section 80A of the Act.

Total Income
Total income for the 2006/07 year was $323.5m, which is an increase of $85.0m over the previous year’s total of $238.5m. The major reasons for this variation are an increase of $44.8m in government and insurance contributions and $35.7m from recognition of Brigade cash and deposits for the first time. The government contribution included $22.9m in funding to reimburse CFA for the significant costs incurred during the 2007 major fires. Other minor variances occurred in relation to brigade donations received, and brigade-owned vehicles recognised.

Government and Statutory funding
CFA received contributions from government and other sources amounting to $260.3m (2005/06 $215.5m). CFA receives funding of annual expenditure through the Victorian State Government (22.5%), insurance contributions (77.5%), and from other companies under Section 80A of the CFA Act. During 2006/07 statutory contributions totalled $231.9m, comprising $51.1m from the State Government (of which $3.2m was treated as contributed capital), $188.2m from insurance companies, and $9.1m from other companies. In addition, $28.3m was contributed by other government sources.

 

[MrBurns]

Well there has been plenty of clearing near the Armstrong and Thomson Catchments for years and not by householders but by business. Many surrounding areas were still engulfed by fire.

The reason - its too dry! No rain. Not "tree-huggers" my friend or volunteer firefighters for that matter. Just business as usual

Then we get back to burn offs to reduce the fuel.

Let me put it this way if there isnt a solution then no house in these areas wil be insurable therefor no one will be able to get a mortgage so no one will live there anyway.

Tree huggers stop clearance they worm there way into local councils and nag til people give in.

 

[GumbyLearner]

Then we get back to burn offs to reduce the fuel.

Let me put it this way if there isnt a solution then no house in these areas wil be insurable therefor no one will be able to get a mortgage so no one will live there anyway.

Tree huggers stop clearance they worm there way into local councils and nag til people give in.

If I had to choose between

Option 1.Fresh running water to both drink and fight a fire when the time comes and greenies consulting the local council

or

Option 2. No fresh running water to both drink and fight a fire when the time comes and greenies banned from the local council.

I would clearly choose option 1. For health and safety reasons

JMO, of course.

 

[MrBurns]

If I had to choose between

Option 1.Fresh running water to both drink and fight a fire when the time comes and greenies consulting the local council

or

Option 2. No fresh running water to both drink and fight a fire when the time comes and greenies banned from the local council.

I would clearly choose option 1. For health and safety reasons

JMO, of course.

Were you saying if it wasn't for the greenies there would be no trees around dams ? If trees are nessessary I dont think it would take the tree huggers to get that happening.

If dams require trees that would be managed properly by the authorities not extremists.

 

[GumbyLearner]

Were you saying if it wasn't for the greenies there would be no trees around dams ? If trees are nessessary I dont think it would take the tree huggers to get that happening.

If dams require trees that would be managed properly by the authorities not extremists.

Why is Victoria's largest catchment 19% full?

 

[sam76]

you're splitting hairs cuttlefish.

 

[MrBurns]

Why is Victoria's largest catchment 19% full?

Lack of rain.

 

[GumbyLearner]

Lack of rain.

Precisely. And how does rain occur?

 

[MrBurns]

Precisely. And how does rain occur?

I dont think the lack of trees around the Thompson is the reason it's low, if that were the case the Vic water supply problem would be fixed.

 

[GumbyLearner]

I dont think the lack of trees around the Thompson is the reason it's low, if that were the case the Vic water supply problem would be fixed.

I rest my case.

 

[Agentm]

clueless

 

[MrBurns]

I rest my case.

This has nothing to do with what I originally said , that is, we need more clearance around populated areas especially undergrowth clearance.

 

[Bushman]

Some stats of the superfire - from The Age:



The energy it released was the equivalent of 500 Hiroshima bombs.

Unsurviveable.

 

[Prospector]

Slightly off topic, but given that burnoffs produce huge carbon emissions, a bushfire like this must takes our carbon emissions totally off the radar. Are we really just playing a game with "global warming" because mother nature does her 'bit' much more 'effectively' than we humans can ever do.

 

[MrBurns]

There's still 15 or so houses listed for sale in Kinglake and also Marysville on www.realestate.com.au - perhaps they should update - probably waiting for the agents to contact them.

 

[kincella]

Re: Victorian Fires and 1 mill wildlife burnt

and 4 wildlife shelters in kings lake...but all the animals died...burnt a horrid death....?????? hello....not a precaution to find temp safe home for them,
...................................................................................................
The fires also destroyed four wildlife shelters including Stella Reid's Wildhaven shelter at Kinglake.

Ms Chappell said Ms Reid escaped with her life, but the animals were not so lucky.

"It has been a real blow for everybody I think. That is what has really brought it home for everybody, hearing that Stella Reid's place was totalled and all her animals ... they weren't able to get any animals out at all."
......................................................................................................

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25040020-29277,00.html

 

[sam76]

Questioning the policy

•These fires occurred on the hottest day on record in Victoria, in the worst fire weather conditions ever witnessed.

•When this emergency is over fire agencies will examine what lessons have been learnt and what improvements can be made to all aspects of the preparation and management of the fires. The “prepare stay and defend a well prepared house or go early” position will be part of that analysis. This type of analysis is standard with every major fire event and agencies will be involved in their own inquiries as well participating fully in government and coronial inquiries.

•It is too early to draw any conclusion from the weekend’s events

•The Bushfire CRC will conduct independent research on particular aspects of the fire. These aspects will be determined over the next few days.

•With the anticipated effects of climate change and with more extreme weather events predicted in the future, the industry will continue to look at how and what messages are delivered to those communities at risk.