Bushfire

The Australian forest is particularly prone to bushfires due to the flammable oils in the leaves of eucalypts and hot dry seasons. Plants have evolved in various ways to survive fire and in some cases depend on it to release their seeds (like the banksias in yesterday’s post). Many plants have reserve shoots that sprout after fire. It is fascinating to visit bushland soon after fire and see the rush of new growth occurring.

Blue Mountains Trio -- After Fire 2

These photographs were taken at Mount Hay in early January, after the fires that burnt in the wilderness areas of the Blue Mountains throughout December. I will go back soon to see how things are progressing.

Words to Walk With:

From the survey field book of George Evans the surveyor who marked the first survey over the Blue Mountains – reproduced on a “Footsteps in Time” monument at Lawson.

Date 4th January 1814
The mountains are as yesterday; fired in all directions; at 11 oClock I was upon the high hill; all objects Eastward are obscured by thick smoke; - We stopped where there was feed for the Horses and Water. Distance 5-1/4 Miles.