Bushfires in Australia

Australia is in no doubt a sunburnt country and our unique landscape shares a long and important relationship with fire.

Did you know that fire is an important tool used by Aboriginal people to protect and manage the land? Traditional fire management methods are often called ‘cultural burning’, ‘fire stick farming’ or ‘cool burning’. Regular cool burns do more than reduce the risk of bushfires; they encourage biodiversity and a healthy environment. Local fire brigades also work to reduce the risk of bushfire by using conventional methods called ‘back burning’ and ‘hazard reduction burning’.

Fire management is crucial in Australia, whichever method is applied. In this digital resource, explore the factors that cause bushfires to become out of control. Investigate the different ways that Australians respond to bushfire threats. Discover more about the various approaches to land conservation and the important role of bushfires.

Curriculum Links

Stage 3 Geography

GE3-1 describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments
GE3-2 explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments
GE3-3 compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments
GE3-4 acquires, processes and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry

Skills  

Communicating Geographical Information

present findings and ideas in a range of communication forms as appropriate -ACHGS038, ACHGS045
reflect on their learning to propose individual and collective action in response to a contemporary geographical challenge and describe the expected effects of their proposal on different groups of people - ACHGS039, ACHGS046

General Capabilities

Literacy
Critical and Creative Thinking
Personal and Social
Ethical Understanding
Intercultural Understanding

Teacher Resources

Assessment opportunities for teachers

The information gathered in the 'Planning for Fire' section can be used to develop a Fire Management Plan. This is a great opportunity for a whole-class learning project. This project may be utilised as a summative assessment of student learning. The concepts explored in the four activities link to Outcomes and Skills from the Geography syllabus.

Aboriginal Land Management

Activity 1 - Venn diagram suggested answers here.

Some primary sources for further viewing

“Meet the all-female Indigenous fire crew protecting community, family and sacred land” Women’s Weekly article by Sue Smethurst and photos by Jessica Shapiro
“The Banana Women of Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust” by Madeline Hayman-Reber
"Spring fires” Behind The News ABC report on causes of bushfires

The role of fire here at the Botanic Gardens

Indigenous games to play with kids!

Play games that Aboriginal children use to explore and connect to their land from the Yulunga Traditional Indigenous Games archive. Our favourite is ‘Wallee ngnan weerup’ (the hunting or bush game).

Did you know?

Native Australian birds are known to utilise fire for hunting. Read more in “Animals that light fires” - Australian Geographic

Further reading and listening

“Fire Country: How Indigenous Fire Management Could Save Australia” (2020) by Victor Steffenson available at Angus and Robertson
“Fighting Fire with Fire” Australian Story webpage article with video and interview with Victor Steffensen.
“Aboriginal Fire Management with Victor Steffensen” Podcast #30 by Pip permaculture
“Bushfire Impacts, Recovery and Outlook” Branch Out podcast
"Building Resilient Ecosystems for Threatened Animals" NITV webpage article by Luke Briscoe (2017)
Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation network - firesticks.org.au