Fire danger

Looking towards The Barn, from the Peter’s Pond corner

Towards the end of November (and now continuing into December) we have been reminded of the ever existing danger of bushfires with a very large fire burning in the Tallaganda National Park to the south east of MCNF’s Home Farm. The fire is within the catchment of the Mulloon Community Landscape Rehydration Project so we are very much on alert. Fortunately for us the prevailing winds have seen the fire move away but it continues to threaten communities closer to Braidwood.

Other parts of NSW and Queensland have seen devastating bushfires for many weeks. While bushfires have been part of the Australian landscape for centuries, rehydrated landscapes will assist in lessening the impact and can act as breaks to slow a fire when it meets ‘greener’ or hydrated land. The aftermath of bushfires can also be devastating as a fire ravaged landscape is vulnerable to erosion and runoff will affect water quality.

Fortunately, we know that runoff that will ensue from Tallaganda National Park will be filtered through the wet lands we have recreated in the MCLRP completed sections. Let us not forget that the MCLRP runs into the Shoalhaven that then feeds into the Sydney Water supply so our wetland filters will play a key role in ensuring cleaner water arrives in Sydney.

Fire nearby in the Tallaganda National Park