A Â鶹ֱ²¥ of Technology academic wants authorities to ban new houses being built in fire prone areas and the number of volunteer firefighters increased.<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Grant Wardell-Johnson has made these calls as the effects of climate change increase the likelihood of more devastating bushfires.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor many years now there has been a rising trend in the number of extreme fire events occurring in Australia,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a trend that is likely to intensify in the future as climate change makes much of southern Australia a hotter, drier place to live.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to accept that climate change is happening and this is going to fundamentally change the way we live. The era of business as usual is over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Wardell-Johnson, who has more than 25 years experience studying WA\u2019s south-west forests, said prescribed burning alone was not a viable solution to protect communities from bushfires.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen homes are built in fire prone areas they need to be built to higher standards and their occupants must have the required training to deal with fires, making membership of local fire brigades compulsory.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough prescribed burning can protect communities near flammable bush in moderate conditions, it will not solve the problem of extreme conditions when even very young, green wood becomes fuel,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to establish new strategies such as changing planning rules to avoid building in fire risk areas, better social support systems in the bush, and strategic prescribed burning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rapid population increase around the edges of cities, bush and agricultural areas increases the risk of fires damaging property and endangering lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite societies\u2019 best efforts, increasing property and biodiversity losses are inevitable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is therefore imperative that society engages in every way it can to adapting to the impacts of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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