Parched Lands: Part 4 - Desert Fire: Fanning the Flames
In the arid heart of Australia, fire has been a major force in shaping the landscape and its inhabitants for millennia. Indigenous people still use fire in the Australian desert, but traditional burning practices have changed since European settlement. Without this age-old influence, some believe the country is waiting to detonate - at risk of an onslaught from hot, huge and uncontrollable wildfires.
What role can fire play today in tending to the dry earth and nurturing its vulnerable plants and animals? Natasha Mitchell travels to Australia's Red Centre to meet aboriginal communities and scientists striving to keep the ancient tradition of desert fire alive.
Visit the feature website for Parched Lands with transcripts, audio, photos and links.
- Alexandra de Blas
- Geraldine Fitzgerald / Natasha Mitchell
- Natasha Mitchell