Two Months Later

Along with floods and droughts, bush fires are one of the natural disasters to which Australia is prone. The first anniversary of the horrendous bush fires that ravaged Victoria last year has just passed, but it reminded me of the small bush fire that occurred in our local bush at the, Harry Sandon Reserve at the beginning of December.

I decided to take a look and see how the blackened bush was coming along. Were there any signs of regeneration, or had the fire destroyed it all?

Here are two photos; the top one shows an area that the fire did not touch, the one at the bottom clearly shows where the fire has burnt a path, clearing all the undergrowth through a significant area of bush.

As can be seen, there are patches of green reappearing and it looks as if some plants are thriving after the event. It is a fact that many seeds in the Australian Bush actually need the high heat fire generates to germinate.

Even so, the damage is extensive, many animals would have lost their lives. Lizards, snakes and small marsupials would have been unable to escape the fire. It seems that this particular fire was caused by some thoughtless children playing with matches.

On a personal note the council have fenced off my favourite walking path and I am now confined to one single track that meanders through the bush. Whilst somewhat put out I have to admit that they are at least they are taking an active role in helping the regeneration of the area.