Concern about fire risk along new trails

SOME time ago now, authorities began clearing fire access trails in sections of the Dawn Road Reserve, but to the surprise of residents, the felled material was cleared but left piled along the trails and, in some places, at the rear of properties.

The drying piles of felled trees, broken branches and dead leaves present a potential fire risk and may even encourage ground fires to catch higher up and help flames travel into the canopy. If this happens, the fire will rage faster and further.

The 2003 Canberra fires show that when wildfires catch in a canopy, storm-like intensity can see embers and even fireballs rain down hundreds of metres away as the fire front becomes more powerful, a condition known as a fire storm.

With this in mind, some local residents have spoken to several council representatives but, as yet, no action has been taken to remove or reduce the flammable material. It is now peak fire season and those living near to the reserve are anxious that something is done before a risk becomes a reality.

The very large equipment used for the clearing task also left depressions in the ground around the edge of the reserve, adjacent to people's houses. These depressions are filling with water after the few rain showers we have had but the concern is that stagnant pools of water that take days to dry up will increase the likelihood of mosquitoes and the often debilitating diseases they carry.