From Nina Burdett, Malmsbury, Victoria, Australia
In fire-prone southern Australia, intentional burning to combat wildfire risk is controversial. These burns run for weeks every autumn and the smoke is a health and environmental hazard (1 February, p 12).
The effect on wildlife and plants seems to be rarely taken into account. Fire does reduce fine, easily burned plant matter, but also prompts intense regrowth. Repeated burning leaves soil open to erosion and encourages annuals and fine-leaved perennials to flourish, adding to the fire risk. Lightning strikes are inevitable, but public education, sensible location of housing and encouraging weed-free old-growth forests go a long way to reducing the wildfire threat.
