Global warming. What effect might it have upon bushfires?

He continued:  "Within the past twenty five years many parts of the Tambo Valley … have likewise become overgrown by a young forest …. Similar observations may be made in the Omeo district".

Howitt makes reference to unforseen consequences of removing fire from Gippsland when he observed that while young seedlings now had a chance of life, "a severe check was removed from insect pests". He describes how insect pests have destroyed many River Red Gum forests in central Gippsland.

Bringing the issue into this century, Mr Vic Jurskis of Forests NSW, observed in "The decline of eucalypt forests as a consequence of unnatural fire regimes" that his research suggests that the lack of fire in NSW forests has contributed to the decline in that State’s eucalypt forest. Further, he accepts that, where fuel reduction burning has been removed, it is better to have cattle grazing.

There can be little doubt that, unless Victorian forests are subjected to effective programs of fuel reduction burning and thinning, Global Warming will have a negative effect. However, in every cloud, there may be a silver lining.

Currently cool temperature fuel reduction burning efforts in Victoria have been negligible, but what activity there has been is mainly in autumn.

If Global Warming occurs it will make all of our seasons warmer, providing opportunities to carry out fuel reduction burning in winter as well as spring and autumn.

A further benefit to rural Victoria would be a greater number of people employed.