Why can't Australia's forest fires be put out? Uncover the ecological secrets and firefighting dilemmas behind them

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralia's forests continue to burnNow I will summarize the relevant issues and hope it will be helpful to those who want to know more.


1. The "self-combustion" code of the Australian forest

Australia has an average of 54,000 forest fires each year, among which the most representative eucalyptus forests show amazing "fire adaptability":

• Eucalyptus oil content reaches 20%, it can spontaneously ignite and form a fireball at a high temperature of 40℃
• The bark-shedding fireproof structure allows the 90% plant to survive a fire.
• The seeds need to experience a high temperature of 200°C to break the shell and germinate

This evolutionary strategy of "survival of the fittest" has created a symbiotic relationship between Australia's ecosystem and fire. Ecological monitoring by the University of Sydney in 2019 showed that the density of eucalyptus seedlings in some areas increased threefold after fires.

2. A "powder keg" created by geography and climate

Unique conditions on the Australian continent provide a breeding ground for fires:

3. The collision between modern fire protection and traditional wisdom

Australia adopts a "controlled burning" strategy:

• 4 million hectares of flammable materials are burned every winter
• Using satellite heat source monitoring system to provide early warning
• Resurrecting the indigenous "cold combustion" technology (temperature controlled below 50°C)

A pilot project in the Northern Territory in 2021 showed that traditional fire prevention methods reduced the fire area by 65%. However, due to the complex terrain (75% of forest areas are inaccessible to vehicles), the attendance rate of firefighting helicopters needs to be increased by 300% to meet the demand.

4. Climate warming exacerbates fires

The latest CSIRO research shows:

• Fire season extended by 27 days/decade
• Frequency of extreme fire weather increases by 56%
• Combustible material drying cycle shortened 40%

The "Black Summer" of 2019-2020 burned 24 million hectares of forest land and released 900 million tons of carbon dioxide, forming a vicious cycle for the global climate.

Issues related to forest fires

1. Do forest fires have any ecological benefits?

Moderate fires can promote soil mineral circulation and remove sick and weak plants. However, the intensity of modern fires has exceeded the ecological tolerance threshold, causing the death of koalas and other 30% tree-dwelling animals.

2. How can ordinary people prevent fire?

• Observe a total fire ban when camping
• Regularly clean up flammable materials within 30 meters of the residence
• Understand the configuration of emergency kits (smoke masks, emergency water bags)

3. What impact do the fires have on the wine industry?

The 2019 fires caused smoke contamination in the Barossa Valley 30% vineyards, with some wineries suffering annual losses of more than A$2 million.

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandAustralia's forests continue to burnIn the face of this protracted battle between ecology and civilization, we need to find a balance between scientific and technological progress and traditional wisdom. Welcome to follow our special series. The next issue will analyze in depth the "Animal Rescue Operation in the Australian Wildfires".