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John O'Donnell
Effective low intensity burning – barriers and opportunities: John O’Donnell
John O'Donnell identifies the multiple barriers to effective low intensity or ecological maintenance burning of forest areas across south east Australia and opportunities to address these.
Historic imagery of 25 January 1952 Australian bushfires
John O'Donnell. A collection of dramatic and informative photos of the 1952 bushfires.
Major bushfires in Australian history – the 1952 Mangoplah bushfire
John O'Donnell. The Mangoplah bushfire burned an estimated 390,000 hectares. Property damage included 37 houses; 203 sheds and dairies; 1,841 km of fencing as well as 110,000 sheep, with financial impacts estimated at $18 million adjusted to 1970 CPI.
Opportunities for improved fire management in Australia: John O’Donnell
John O'Donnell analyses recent positive US policy developments and land management commitments aimed at confronting the US wildfire/ bushfire crisis and finds that there is much Australia might learn from the US strategy.
Hang on, what about inadequate fuel reduction burning and consequent build up of 3 D fuels? : John O’Donnell
John O'Donnell provides a number of points in response to CSIRO findings on fuel loads, prescribed burning, climate change and forest fire activity in Australia over the last three decades.
Major bushfires in Australian history – the 1974 and 1975 Australian bushfires
John O'Donnell. In contrast to the temperate southern regions of Australia, fire events in Central Australia are driven by above average rainfall in the preceding years, rather than below average rainfall or drought in the current year. Widespread fire events in Central Australia were found to be associated with two or more consecutive years of above-average rainfall. Fuel loads in long-unburnt grassland can get to high levels.
Major bushfires in Australian history – the 1851 Victorian bushfires
John O'Donnell. The Black Thursday bushfires were a devastating series of fires that swept the state of Victoria, Australia, on 6 February 1851, burning up 5 million hectares. This was 170 years ago.
Greater use of small planes, helicopters and drones in prescribed burning in order to achieve safe and healthy landscapes
John O'Donnell. Real data gathered from almost 60 years of historical data from the forests of south west WA unequivocally shows that when the area of prescribed burning trends down, the area of uncontrolled bushfires (wildfires) trends up. There is a simple explanation: bushfires are more difficult to put out in long unburnt, heavy fuels ... New technology is assisting in increasing the safety and efficiency of prescribed burning programs.
Potential opportunities for improved town and city bushfire protection across Australia
John O'Donnell. After the large bushfires impacting on towns and cities in recent years, it is opportune to review potential bushfire protection opportunities for towns and cities across Australia ... The focus of this document is on exploring all opportunities to best protect towns and cities from bushfires, optimising resident safety and optimising firefighter safety.
