Living in Grassland


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		Fire Safety
		Living in Grassland on the Southern Tablelands
		With our very marked seasonal variations in this area, we do not have a nice even green covering of grass all year round. The grass grows vigorously in spring, then it summer it dries off very quickly. Both phalaris, the most common introduced pasture grass around here, and the various native grasses can grow very tall and then basically dry out to a bundle of desiccated, combustible straws in the hot summer weather.

			Paddocks containing phalaris, where the cows are, and a mixture of phalaris and native grass, in the foreground, in the spring when they are fresh and green.


Unmown and uneaten summer grasses. Above a paddock of mixed native grasses including kangaroo grass, wallably grass, poa and plume grasses. Yes, such areas still do exist. At right, a clump of phalaris rendered combustible and inedible.
Many of our rural properties, both commercial farms and hobby blocks, occupy this kind of terrain and certain specific measures are necessary to maintain fire safety in this environment. Fire will travel across short grass, but it can do much more damage when it gets going in long grass, especially when whipped up by wind. The risk is greatest in dry summer or autumn weather, particularly after a spring with heavy growth.

It is necessary to clear strategic areas of long grass in the spring while it is still green. The most important areas to clear are around the house and outbuildings along the westerly or northwesterly side of the property along fencelines facing roads where there is an increased risk of fire starting. Grass can be mowed or slashed, and even if it is not baled but just left in the paddock it is less of a risk than a field of standing tall dry grass. The grass must be cut before it is completely dried out. The percentage curing of the grass, as given in the rural weather reports or issued from Fire Control, indicates the degree to which the grass has dried out. When it reaches 100% it's TOO LATE, because cutting it is then a fire risk in itself. There are legal provisions to force landholders to cut grass if it is posing a threat to adjacent properties because of excessive fuel burden.
				A mown firebreak along a westerly fence line in a mixed pasture of phalaris and native grass. The unmown area was grazed by horses, but it was a good year. The battling trees on the left are attempting to grow into a westerly windbreak. Yes, it is my place. Exemplary, isn't it? That's our good angle.

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