the eucalypts came to this continent from Asia a long time ago. Before that there was a very rich forest and now it is 'home among the gum trees' (line from Australian song) and vulnerable to bushfires. I have seen it happen, from a distance, you don't forget the sight of a big tree exploding into flame and in minutes it is dropping burning branches into the valley.
and there where it is still rainforest it doesn't ignite. phew.
In the drought and fire season last year I had to stop watering my garden a lot but I didn't stop watering the compost piles, I had stopped seeing them as compost and viewed them as fuel load. and then the fire season was over and I am getting in the garden again and dig down in the pile closest to the house and it looked dry and branches on the surface but underneath it was moist and composting and full of worms. I love my worms. It's this thing and I still have my worm farm and feel guilty for keeping them in slavery but like having the ability to go get a handful for here or there. Isn't it awful, I have to dismantle that farm!
