Originally Posted by Peter J
It seems that these fires are not the largest on record.
This is worth a read through, goes back to 1851...

https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/bushfires/1851

In 1851 Fires covered a quarter of what is now Victoria (approximately 5 million hectares).
Areas affected include Portland, Plenty Ranges, Westernport, the Wimmera and Dandenong districts.
Approximately 12 lives, one million sheep and thousands of cattle were lost. Probably because no one lived there and no one tried to put the fires out.

If records existed I'm certain that fires of this size have happened across Australia for millenia. My view is that the Geo-ecology of Australia has evolved to a state that is incompatible with a western, developed, urban society.
The only solutions may be one or more of the following, all are unacceptable and unrealistic.

1. Clear the scrub so that it doesn't come within 50km of any settled area: that would devastate the ecology.
2. Require all buildings to be built of non combustible materials: that would be unaffordable
3. Persuade people to live elsewhere: that would be un achievable.

Globally there are too many humans living in places that are incompatible with settlement. Fiddling with CO2 emissions is not going to achieve anything.
Human society, as we know it, is doomed. We have had our cake, eaten it and now must pay the price.
Happy New Year.


Quite true Peter.

In summary we have many more people and much less bush. In those days there would be no way to control or put the fire out.
No doubt this had been going on for millions of years. Today, we insist on living close to bush, in houses not suited and practice poor land management - a long comes a major drought event so we now pay the price.

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