Bushfires09 Feb 1952 (hindered by ignorance and selfishness.)
Sir, – Bushfires could be prevented by burning the bush early in the season, preferably at night.
Throughout this State there are hundreds of bushmen who realise this and are competent to carry out the work but are hindered by ignorance and selfishness.
This season has proved that:
1. Bushfires cannot be prevented in this country by proclamation.
2. Bushfires on a “blow-up” day cannot be stopped, regardless of manpower and equipment available.
3. Bushfires are stopped only by rain, a change of wind, or when everything in their path is burnt.
4. So-called firebreaks are useless on “blow-up” days, when wind will cause fires to jump miles.
5. Bushfires can be controlled only on a burnt-out area.
The answer is to employ skilled bushmen to burn all bushland, quietly and regularly at the correct time, thereby saving our timber resources, preventing soil erosion, and subsequent siltation of our dams and rivers, also preventing the loss of human life and millions of pounds’ worth of damage to stock and property.
Bilpin. NOEL POWELL.