Managing fire in the southern Tanami Desert

Managing fire in the southern Tanami Desert Corporate

DKCRC Research Report - Desert Fire: fire and regional land management in the arid landscapes of Australia

  • Author(s): Allan, GE
  • Secondary Author(s): Edwards, GP, Allan, GE
  • Published: 2009
  • Publisher: Desert Knowledge CRC
  • Volume: 37

Link to resource Report broken link

Abstract: This report provides an overview of fire in central Australia as a context for a regional focus on the southern Tanami Desert. A comparison of two periods of widespread fires, 1974–1977 and 2000–2002, shows a change in the patterns of fire, which have an association with changes in land use, population mobility and distribution. A re-evaluation of the link between fire occurrence and antecedent rainfall confirmed the correlation between area burnt and two-year cumulative rainfall in sub-regional areas in central Australia. The opportunity to burn and the potential for large wildfires increased when the 24-month cumulative rainfall exceeded 120% of the average two-year rainfall for July to June rainyears. A more detailed investigation of fires in the southern Tanami Desert region, based on Landsat satellite images, highlighted the number of fires that occur. Nearly 3000 fires were mapped in an area of only 34 000 km² during the period from July 1997 to March 2005. The majority of fires were small, and nearly 63% of all fires were less than 1 km² in size. Only 2.5% of the fires were greater than 1000 km² but they represented 72% of the total area burnt. The largest area burnt by a single fire exceeded 5700 km². The occurrence of fires was fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but August to October was the period when fires burnt the largest areas, with September being the peak of fire activity. Discussions with the pastoral community provided an opportunity to report their experiences, issues and attitudes to fire. Pastoralists in the southern Tanami Desert region support the development of a regional fire management strategy and expressed a willingness to participate in this endeavour. Importantly, they stated that it needed to be a collaborative approach developed through cross-sectoral engagement. They also indicated that there was a need for efficiencies and actions to both develop and implement a program which had been lacking to date. Improved communication and an advocate to champion the cause of fire management were needed to achieve a positive result. The essential elements of a southern Tanami Desert fire management strategy are described, as well as the major challenges to be addressed. These include: - implementing effective fire management in remote areas without roads or tracks - dealing with the issue of roadside ignitions without eliminating the importance of most ignitions as signals for assistance - documenting the benefits of improved fire management in both economic and non-economic terms and exploring the opportunities for funding - improving training and skill development in active fire management throughout the community.

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