Five RFS staff had the opportunity to participate in a Traditional Fire Management Workshop in Cape York earlier this year. The purpose of the workshop was to record traditional knowledge in a modern world and to give Aboriginal people the skills in fire and land management using a variety of techniques. Over a week, RFS staff camped in the Aboriginal community and along with rangers, traditional owners and others, participated in planned burning, flora and fauna surveying and GIS fire mapping.
Having the opportunity to participate in traditional burning is a privileged learning experience. Every day groups went out into the bush and listened to traditional owners talk about the land and how they read the bush. The contrasts between traditional and modern practices were amazing - instead of drip torches, stringy bark is removed from trees and used to start the fires using spot ignition by one of the elders. RFS staff had the opportunity to assist in lighting up and watched progressively as low intensity burns moved through the landscape. No resources are needed to control planned fire - the lie of the land, natural fire breaks and fuel moisture is all taken into account through knowing the bush.
The chance to spend time with the Kaanju mob was a rewarding and enriching experience. To be able to see a different way of using fire opened our eyes to a practice that is thousands of years old. There are many more things to be learned from our indigenous friends and it is hoped that similar workshops will soon be run in parts of NSW.
Lana Andrews Planning Services Officer (Hotspots)
Community Engagement Team
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