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Recovery

Driving between Rose Orchard Haus and Burnbrae along the Castlereagh Highway this week had me thinking of the recovery from the recent triple troubles - drought, fire and COVID-19.


Much of the fire grounds are still looking desolate.  Normally I would expect the eucalypts to show new sprouts by this time, like on this tree below.


I am not sure whether the lack of sprouts is because they are a different type of eucalyptus or whether the fire was too hot.

All along the burnt part of the highway trees are being cut down (they have been working on it for months now). I can only assume it's because the trees are dead, going to die and/or are unsafe.


On a brighter note - the flocks and herds seems to be getting bigger.


I am not sure if this is because the sheep are easier to see on green grass than on drought dry land.


It is going to be a long road to recovery on all three fronts.

Comments

  1. It is such a shame that the virus hit when it did otherwise we would be getting footage on the news about how our areas that were badly burnt are recovering. Normally at this stage people around the country would be rallying to help. We have had back burning done here on our escarpment as our fire season starts in August. Hopefully there won't be a repeat of last summer's fires.

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    1. Yes it is a shame that voices from the earlier disasters have been drowned out but I believe the government assistance set up before COVID-19 is continuing so hopefully people are getting the support they need. The breaking of the drought has made a big difference to the state of the undergrowth on our bush block, if it is like that elsewhere there is a good chance we will not have big fires this summer.

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  2. The world really is taking a beating these days. Some lands regenerate quickly after fires, others seem to take years before you can see signs of life. I've seen hazard trees taken down after fires and sometimes they've faced an additional threat from pests when they've been scorched and weakened. Some pine forests in California only regenerate after fire. One national park (Point Reyes) actually benefited from a fire about 15 years ago but it took a long time before that became apparent.

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    1. The Australian bush (predominately eucalyptus) has evolved to need fire for its health and as a general rule regenerates fairly quickly provided the fires are not too hot and there is not another burn too soon afterwards. To propagate many of our native plants gardeners use smoked water to simulate a fire event.

      That is interesting about pine forest regenerating after fire. The types of pines grown here for timber need to be cut down if a fire goes through as they won't regrow. I mistakenly thought that as the case with all pines.

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  3. We certainly got triple trouble and the bushfires were so devastating here too. It is good to see some of the trees coming back but I suppose some might take a bit longer. Hopefully if we get a wetter winter, as predicted, it will help the countryside recover and by Spring everything will start to look greener. It's so much work to repair all the damage done and so sad for those that lost their homes as well as their land. Thanks for the photos.

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    1. Recovery was always going to take a long time. I think you are in WA Rosie and you seem to have a very different climate over there to here - it was hot long after things cooled down here. The rains we had in late summer certainly brightened things up and they are forecasting a wet winter too so things are already springing back nicely.

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  4. Yes, a long road to recovery. I just hope that Coronavirus hasn't taken the support away from those affected by the drought and fires.

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    1. I think the loss of community would have been one of the most difficult parts of coronavirus for those affected by drought and fires. Having a kind listening ear can count so much in recovery.

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  5. I think of our trip to the Blue Mountains often Joan Elizabeth, it was such a highlight, so much nicer than just staying in Sydney for our whole visit. It's pretty heartbreaking to think of the devastation the fires caused.. it really is all too much, one thing after another.. I know we have to hold on to the positives but I should imagine that's pretty hard when you have lost everything. Things have to get better.. surely ✨

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    1. I think they are getting a little better each day. Firstly the drought broke and now Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted so many people are able to get back to work.

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