that was a really interesting article, thanks Karen, it is a subject I have thought about a lot in terms of Australia and I didn't know there was a similar background in California.
The main thing we do here is back burning - the aborigines used to start fires too and I think they were instrumental in starting the practise. the modern idea is to create fuel-free corridors around settled areas where hopefully the fire can't jump over. It does help and has been happening for quite some time. Though sometimes a fire starts from a back burn that goes out of control.
Banksias are one of my favourite trees and they are one of the native plant species which do well out of fire because they germinate well afterwards, the seeds of some species simply will not germinate without fire. But it is devastating for many other species.
So you know I wonder. I've been in one of the remnants of prehistoric bush. It is a memorable feeling difficult to put words to but wonderful being in a place where everything has evolved into a balancing tapestry, so much you can sense it.
And then I find out about the eucalypts being an invasive species and I wonder if they haven't been so successful just because they are so flammable.
