News About Fires

Australia -- land of the koala, kangaroo... and elephant

Wed, 08 FEB 2012 08:56:32 AEST

Paris (AFP) Feb 1, 2012 - Elephants and maybe rhinoceroses could be introduced to Australia to chomp on an invasive African grass that also causes wildfires, according to an idea reported in a scientific journal on Wednesday.

"A major source of fuel for wildfires in the monsoon tropics is gamba grass, a giant African grass that has invaded north Australia's savannas," said David Bowman, a professor of environmental change biology at the University of Tasmania.

"It is too big for marsupial grazers (kangaroos) and for cattle and buffalo, the largest feral mammals. But gamba grass is a great meal for elephants or rhinoceroses."

Bowman, writing in the prestigious British journal Nature, admitted that introducing wild elephants to Australia "may seem absurd."

"But the only other methods likely to control gamba grass involve using chemicals or physically clearing the land, which would destroy the habitat," he said.

"Using mega-herbivores may ultimately be more practical and cost-effective, and it would help to conserve animals that are threatened by poaching in their native environments."

Bowman noted the destruction of other species that have been introduced to Australia and stressed that if the tusker were introduced Downunder, the move would have to proceed very cautiously.

Biologists would have to monitor the effect on the ecoystem and numbers would have to be controlled to prevent over-breeding.

Black Saturday provides bushfire answers

Wed, 08 FEB 2012 08:56:32 AEST

Melbourne, Australia (SPX) Jan 19, 2012 - Clearing vegetation close to houses is the best way to reduce impacts of severe bushfires, according to a team of scientists from Australia and the USA who examined house loss after as a result of Black Saturday, when a series of fires raged across the Australian state of Victoria, killing 173 and injuring 414.

The research involving 12,000 measurements at 500 houses affected by the Black Saturday fires was only made possible by the sheer size of the devastation of February 7, 2009.

"More than any other major wildfire in Australia, Black Saturday provided an unprecedented opportunity to learn about the effects of land management on house loss," said senior author Dr Philip Gibbons from The Australian National University.

The research team found that fuel reduction close to houses afforded the greatest protection.

"Clearing trees and shrubs within 40 meters of houses was the most effective form of fuel reduction on Black Saturday," said Dr Gibbons.

"However, there was less risk to houses from vegetation in planted gardens compared with vegetation in remnant native bushland."

Houses close to public forest were at greater risk, but concerns raised after Black Saturday about national parks were not reflected in the results.

"On Black Saturday, houses were at similar risk whether they were adjacent to National Park or State Forest," said Professor David Lindenmayer from ANU, a co-author of the research.

Logging native forests did not reduce the chance of house loss.

"We found no significant relationship between house loss and the amount of logging in the landscape," said Professor Ross Bradstock from The University of Wollongong who was an expert witness in the Bushfires Royal Commission.

A key issue after Black Saturday was prescribed burning. However, the researchers found that protection afforded to houses by prescribed burning on Black Saturday was only modest, despite the team examining landscapes that had been burnt considerably before Black Saturday.

"Clearing vegetation within 40 meters of houses was twice as effective as prescribed burning," said Dr Geoff Cary from ANU.

All forms of fuel reduction examined in the study, including prescribed burning, were most effective if undertaken closer to houses, .

Bbut the research team cautions that reducing fuel close to houses is not always an appropriate strategy.

"Intensive fuel reduction close to houses can be expensive, can have significant environmental and aesthetic impacts and can be risky in some circumstances," said Dr Gibbons.

"Many of these issues can be avoided if new housing is not permitted adjacent to forests."

The researchers conclude that fuel reduction close to houses is only a partial solution to bushfires.

"No amount of fuel reduction will guarantee that a house is safe on extreme weather days like Black Saturday, so it is critical that other measures, such as early evacuation, safer places and architectural solutions are considered by every resident in fire-prone areas in addition to, or instead of, fuel reduction," said Dr Gibbons.

"These are findings that are probably important internationally," said Dr Max Moritz from the University of California at Berkeley who was a co-author of the research.

"Housing density in many bushfire-prone regions is increasing, so the next major bushfire will be even more devastating unless we continue to learn from Black Saturday," added Dr Gibbons.

Chile's Mapuche deny role in deadly forest fire

Wed, 08 FEB 2012 08:56:32 AEST

Santiago (AFP) Jan 10, 2012 - Leaders of an activist group of indigenous Mapuche people in Chile on Tuesday denied government accusations that they might have set a forest fire that killed seven firefighters last week.

The fire started Thursday at a private estate in the Mininco Forest near Carahue, about 700 kilometers (440 miles) south of the capital Santiago.

"In the face of accusations issued by persons from the current government and right-wing members of Parliament, we say -- emphatically -- that the CAM (Arauco-Malleco Coordination Group) had nothing to do with events that occurred at the House of Stone estate in Carahue," a statement by the group said.

The group posted the statement -- signed by the group's jailed political spokesman, Hector Llaitul -- on an Internet blog often used by the Mapuche movement. It was then carried by local media.

The CAM is a fringe group of Mapuche land activists that had claimed arson attacks that destroyed a firefighting helicopter and other forestry vehicles on December 30.

The group seeks to reclaim lands in southern Chile they say were taken from them by the government or private owners, such as forestry companies.

"We claim this land as ancestral Mapuche territory taken over by the forestry business, which is why we hold them responsible as the only cause of this tragedy," said the statement.

Immediately after the deaths of the seven firefighters were confirmed, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said the incident demonstrated "criminal intent" and conduct of a "terrorist nature."

Afterward, Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter directed suspicions at the CAM and filed a complaint under Chile's anti-terrorism law against the alleged perpetrators of the crime.

After the Mapuche statement was made public, government spokesman Andres Chadwick said Tuesday that it was clear the CAM "does exist. It has an organization, it has its leaders, and it has its actions.

"It claims involvement in some of the fires and says it has nothing to do with others," Chadwick added.

Llaitul, who is serving a 14-year prison sentence for assaulting a prosecutor in 2008, said invoking the anti-terror law was a "political strategy" directed "against the Mapuches."

The Mapuche are Chile's largest indigenous population, making up about six percent of the population.

The US State Department renewed a travel alert Tuesday to American citizens traveling in Chile, warning them to beware of regions that have been struck by forest fires in recent days.

The travel alert mentioned the Magallanes, Maule and Biobio regions as the areas of greatest concern. The Magallanes region was the site of a devastating fire last week in the Torres del Paine national park.

The statement urges US citizens "to exercise caution" when traveling to the Torres del Paine park or any other affected region.

Chile's Mapuche denies role in deadly arson

Wed, 08 FEB 2012 08:56:32 AEST

Santiago (AFP) Jan 10, 2012 - Leaders of an activist group of Chilean indigenous Mapuche people Tuesday denied government accusations they might have set a forest fire that killed seven firefighters last week.

The fire started Thursday at a private estate in the Mininco Forest about 700 kilometers (440 miles) south of the capital, Santiago, in the Carahue commune area.

"In the face of accusations issued by persons from the current government and right-wing members of Parliament, we say -- emphatically -- that the CAM (Coordinadora Arauco Malleco) had nothing to do with events that occurred at the House of Stone estate in Carahue," a statement by the group said.

The Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco is an organization of the Mapuche indigenous people that seeks to reclaim lands in southern Chile they say were taken from them by the government or private owners, such as forestry companies. The Mapuche are Chile's largest indigenous population, making up about four percent of the population.

The group posted the statement on an Internet blog often used by the Mapuche movement. It was picked up by the local media.

Nevertheless, the Mapuche still claim the forest land as their own property.

"We claim this land as ancestral Mapuche territory taken over by the forestry business, which is why we hold them responsible as the only cause of this tragedy," said the statement signed by Hector Llaitul, political spokesman for CAM.

He is serving a 14-year prison sentence for assaulting a prosecutor in 2008.

The CAM has been blamed for other arson attacks against property or agricultural machinery in the same area, where most of Chile's indigenous communities reside and claim they should be paid restitution for lands they consider their own under ancestral rights.

Immediately after the deaths of the seven firefighters were confirmed, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said the incident demonstrated "criminal intent" and conduct of a "terrorist nature."

Afterward, Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter directed suspicions at Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco and filed a complaint under Chile's anti-terrorism law against the alleged perpetrators of the crime.

Llaitul said invoking the law was a "political strategy" directed "against the Mapuches."

Meanwhile, the US State Department renewed a travel alert Tuesday to American citizens traveling in Chile to beware of regions that have been struck by forest fires in recent days.

The travel alert mentioned the Magallanes, Maule and Bio Bio regions as the areas of greatest concern. The Magallanes region was the site of a devastating fire last week in the Torres del Paine National Park.

The statement urges US citizens "to exercise caution" when traveling to the Torres del Paine National Park or any other affected region.

Suspected arson attacks in Chile as firemen buried

Wed, 08 FEB 2012 08:56:32 AEST

Santiago (AFP) Jan 8, 2012 - The home of a Mapuche Indian leader in Chile was destroyed in a suspicious blaze Sunday in an area ravaged by forest fires, which officials say may have been caused by radical indigenous activists.

Police said hooded assailants also torched the home of a retired military officer and fired at officers in the forest region of Araucania, as seven firefighters killed there last week in a massive wildfire were buried Sunday.

Jose Santos Millao, who represents the Mapuche Indians on the National Corporation for Indigenous Development, told reporters his house had "no electricity," making the source of the blaze suspicious. No one was hurt.

An unusually hot and dry start to the Chilean summer has seen more than 50 wildfires, fanned by high winds, burn down scores of homes and destroy some 50,000 hectares (123,000 acres) of woodland and brush over the past 10 days.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera invoked controversial anti-terror legislation after the seven firefighters -- private contractors for forestry company Mininco -- were killed on Thursday in a mountain forest near Carahue.

"We have reliable information that makes us presume there is criminal intent behind these fires," Pinera said.

Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter hinted that the blazes may have been the work of the Arauco-Malleco Coordination Group (CAM), a fringe group of Mapuche land activists that had claimed arson attacks that destroyed a firefighting helicopter and other forestry vehicles on December 30.

Araucania is a hub for the Mapuche Indians, who make up six percent of Chile's 18-million-strong population. Mapuche activists claim their ancestral lands in the region have been taken over by forestry companies.

Activists have carried out sporadic attacks or acts of sabotage in recent years against corporate holdings or the installations of security forces. Three Mapuche activists were killed in clashes with police about 10 years ago.

Fires have also struck the forest regions of Biobio and Maule, some 500 to 700 kilometers (310 to 435 miles) south of the capital Santiago.

One five-day inferno destroyed some 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) of the Torres del Paine National Park, a natural wilderness in Patagonia that has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Chile invokes terror law after deadly 'criminal' wildfire

Wed, 08 FEB 2012 08:56:32 AEST

Santiago (AFP) Jan 6, 2012 - Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has invoked anti-terror legislation after at least six firefighters died in a wildfire authorities said may have been caused by radical indigenous activists.

Authorities suspect several fires that erupted almost simultaneously in the forest regions of Biobio, Maule and Araucania, some 500 to 700 kilometers (310 to 435 miles) south of the capital Santiago, were the work of arsonists.

"We have reliable information that makes us presume there is criminal intent behind these fires," Pinera said Thursday. "I believe that we ought to combat not only the fires, but also the criminals behind the fires."

Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter later hinted that the blazes may have been the work of the Arauco-Malleco Coordination Group (CAM), a fringe group of Mapuche activists that had claimed arson attacks which destroyed a firefighting helicopter and other forestry vehicles on December 30.

"The CAM claims the attack against a forestry helicopter, and soon there are more fires. But the pieces will fall into place in the end, so I don't want to guess," Hinzpeter told TVN television.

Ten firefighters -- private contractors for forestry company Mininco -- were trapped Thursday when the blaze they were tackling in a mountain forest near Carahue in Araucania suddenly changed direction.

"The fire suddenly surrounded them because of the wind, they drew closer together, one against another, and saw the fire pass above them," local governor Miguel Mellado told Canal 13 television.

Six firefighters perished in the flames, two were rescued by helicopter but suffered bad burns, and another is still missing.

The 10th firefighter, Hector Herrera, managed to escape.

"When I wanted to leave, I was unable to do so, I went back and there was fire everywhere. My only option was to go to the canteen and soak myself in water and then go through the flames," he later told the media.

The anti-terror law invoked by Pinera is highly controversial, as it dates back to Augusto Pinochet's 1973-90 dictatorship.

"Clearly, the intentional and criminal character of provoking simultaneous and deliberate fires makes this conduct of a terrorist nature," Pinera said.

The draconian anti-terror law notably allows for steeper punishments, for suspects to be detained longer without charge, and for the use of anonymous witnesses in trials.

It was last invoked in the 2011 trial of indigenous Mapuche activists charged over 2008-2009 clashes in the Araucania region, where they say their ancestral lands have been taken over by forestry companies.

The only casualty from the spate of wildfires up until Thursday was a 75-year-old man who refused to leave his home in the Biobio region.

Last week, a five-day inferno destroyed some 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) of the Torres del Paine National Park, a natural wilderness in Patagonia that has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

An Israeli citizen, Rotem Singer, 23, is accused of starting the park blaze accidentally by failing to extinguish a burning roll of toilet paper.

Singer, who faces a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a fine of $300, has been released from police custody but ordered not to leave Chile until an investigation is complete.

Another man was arrested on Wednesday for setting off an incendiary device that possibly caused a small blaze in Biobio.

Pinera has blamed the La Nina weather phenomenon and "global warming" for contributing to drought conditions that helped the fires spread.

Chile blaze claims six firefighters
Santiago (AFP) Jan 5, 2012 - Six Chilean firefighters died Thursday and four were injured tackling one of a series of wildfires that President Sebastian Pinera says were intentionally lit by criminals.

An unusually hot and dry early summer and high winds have seen forest fires ravage large areas of central and southern Chile, burning down scores of homes and destroying some 50,000 hectares (123,000 acres) of woodland and brush.

"We have reliable information that makes us presume there is criminal intent behind these fires," Pinera said. "I believe that we ought to combat not only the fires, but also the criminals behind the fires."

The president, who pledged his government would do everything possible to find those responsible, evoked anti-terror laws that could allow for tougher punishments.

The 10 firefighters, private contractors for forestry company Mininco, were trapped by a blaze raging in a mountainside forest in the Araucania region. A helicopter succeeded in pulling the four injured to safety.

"The fire suddenly surrounded them because of the wind, they drew closer together, one against another, and saw the fire pass above them," local governor Miguel Mellado told Canal 13 television.

"It is most probable that the two survivors were those who were underneath," Mellado said, speaking before Pinera raised the number of survivors to four.

For more than a week firefighting teams have been tackling a series of blazes in Araucania and the neighboring Biobio region, rural areas located some 500 to 700 kilometers (310-435 miles) south of the Chilean capital Santiago.

The only casualty before Thursday was a 75-year-old man who refused to leave his home in the Biobio region.

A five-day inferno in southern Chile's Torres del Paine National Park, a 2,400-square-kilometer (927-square-mile) nature preserve in the Patagonian steppe, was brought under control at the weekend.

An Israeli citizen, Rotem Singer, 23, has denied accidentally starting the huge Torres del Paine fire, which razed some 15,000 hectares of prime parkland, by failing to extinguish a burning roll of toilet paper.

Singer, who faces a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a fine of $300, has been released from police custody but ordered not to leave Chile until an investigation is complete.

Pinera has blamed the La Nina weather phenomenon and "global warming" for contributing to drought conditions that helped the fires spread.

Chile brings fires under control as probe expands
Santiago (AFP) Jan 4, 2012 - Firefighters reported progress Wednesday in bringing under control wildfires in southern Chile that have destroyed about 45,000 hectares (112,000 acres) as a special prosecutor began investigating the source of the blazes.

However, many of the 20 fires continued burning, particularly in the Bio Bio region about 500 kilometers south of Santiago.

Firefighters "are in a process of continuing to suffocate" the remaining fires, Rene Garrido, fire chief of the Bio Bio region's Quillon commune, told local media.

One of the Bio Bio fires killed a 75-year-old man who refused to evacuate his home.

Garrido said tanker airplanes and helicopters that dropped water on the flames helped bring the fires under control.

After the flames were extinguished, firefighters returned to the areas where the fires were most intense to prevent further flare-ups from the current hot weather, drought and high winds.

About 24,800 hectares (62,000 acres) were destroyed in the Bio Bio region, 160 homes burned and 600 people displaced.

In the Maule region, fires that destroyed 6,650 hectares (16,512 acres), burned 30 homes and affected 200 families, also are under control, according to Carlos Bernal, the regional director of Chile's National Emergency Office (Onemi).

Firefighters reported that most outbreaks in the national park Torres del Paine, where the fires started a week ago, were no longer spreading. The fires consumed 14,504 hectares.

The park, which is visited every year by thousands of tourists, was partially reopened to the public Wednesday.

The suspicious nature of the Bio Bio fires is prompting a government investigation, led by prosecutor Julio Contardo.

Eight fires started simultaneously near a plant that is one of the world's largest producers of cellulose. The plant was severely damaged by flames.

Meanwhile, police have arrested a man accused of starting a fire that destroyed nearly 18 acres in the town of Tome.

The man confessed to igniting the flames by mishandling fireworks during New Year celebrations, according to local media reports.

An Israeli citizen, Rotem Singer, 23, is charged with starting the fire in the Torres del Paine park. He is accused of negligently trying to extinguish a burning roll of toilet paper, which he denies.

He was released from police custody but ordered not to leave Chile until an investigation is complete. He faces a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a fine of $300.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera blamed the La Nina weather phenomenon and "global warming" for contributing to drought conditions that helped the fires spread.

Chile blaze claims six firefighters

Wed, 08 FEB 2012 08:56:32 AEST

Santiago (AFP) Jan 5, 2012 - Six Chilean firefighters died Thursday and four were injured tackling one of a series of wildfires that President Sebastian Pinera says were intentionally lit by criminals.