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I read recently that wildfires should be allowed to burn down forests as smaller wildfires when prevented will result in larger wildfires in the future (because of availability of more dry organic fuel).

This combined with the current article makes me question the approach Australia currently uses for wildfires.

Do we let small wildfires burn themselves out?

If yes, why are larger fires happening? Should we actively trim forests periodically?

If no, why not?

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Probably no one wants to take the risk or responsibility for letting a small one burn in the event that they lose control. No one gets in trouble for failing at trying to put it out. But taking the decision to stand back? You'll get raked over coals if it was the wrong decision.

They definitely do controlled burning to remove organic fuel. 4 years ago i was working at a farm in Western Australia near Albany and the sterling range mountain range they did a controlled burn which got out of hand and we had to evacuate. Spend the next week's putting out fires that reignite.

Farmers also burn down crop fields to make seeding easier and is a risk to jump in other fields or neighboring woodlands.

My girlfriend there worked as a parc ranger / firefighter. It's a big topic, farmers in the outback have their own firetrucks and teams

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