Firefighters to integrate cultural burning techniques in bushfire management

CULTURAL burning techniques are being integrated into government bushfire management frameworks across NSW.

Funded by the Federal Government program “Fire, Country and People”, the aim is to strengthen community resilience to major bushfire events and improve land management practices across traditional Aboriginal lands.

The project is a three-year $3 million initiative funded by the Australian Government and jointly supported by Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW).

As part of this initiative, members of the Western Bundjalung, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr, Bunyah and Birpai communities have attended training sessions at Jubullum, Grafton and Port Macquarie over the past year.

Fire training specialists, Fireground, has delivered training to provide accredited firefighting qualifications to members of the Northern Rivers, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie/Hastings Aboriginal communities.

The program equips participants with essential firefighting skills and fosters collaboration between Aboriginal communities and government agencies, combining traditional cultural burning methods with modern firefighting techniques.

The project will include a research component to build a scientific evidence base around cultural burning, investigating its impact on bushfire intensity and spread.

This approach supports the integration of Indigenous knowledge into broader fire management frameworks, contributing to sustainable and culturally informed land stewardship.

FCNSW’s Aboriginal Heritage and Partnerships Manager, John Shipp, said, “This program creates an opportunity for the Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr communities to work with government agencies to develop a path forward for effective and sustainable bushfire management, combining traditional cultural burning with modern firefighting techniques.

“This will improve the resilience of the community to major bushfires.

“The use of fire in the environment is only one aspect of the community’s land management experience, which has existed for more than 60,000 years and, importantly, this program equips participants with essential firefighting skills and qualifications for future careers in firefighting.”

Grant Brown, the Business Manager for Yaegl Wadyarr Gargle Land and Sea Contractors, said, “Having 20 members of our community trained as accredited firefighters on Forestry Corporation appliances and equipment also provides an extra level of bushfire protection.

“We have 82 threatened floral and fauna species on Yaegl land and fire management is key to their protection by preventing wildfires, regenerating our native species, and ensuring the forests germinate to their full potential by reducing weed growth.”

Laqueesha Laurie, who participated in the program, said, “I want to thank Forestry for the opportunity in running this firefighting training and providing our community with full firefighting PPE and training so we can protect our Community and improve the health of our Country.”

“I strongly believe that through these partnerships and collaborations… we as a Mob and People can create empowerment within and pass that onto our next generation and share our identity and share who we are in today’s modern world.

“Because we had to adapt, we had to be part of the evolution and change – now it’s up to us to fit in and make the most of what opportunities are provided for our People, run with them, embrace them and be proud of who we are and where we come from.”

By Andrew VIVIAN