the Empiricists

Empirical knowledge is gained from experience fine-tuned by trial and error. The early foresters, like other settlers from verdant Europe, had no experience of forest fire. With the establishment of forest services in each State, individuals contributed to a knowledge bank about bushfire before the dawn of forest fire science in the late 1950's. This section is dedicated to the contributions of the empiricists, whose insights retain their validity.

Forest Fires in Coastal Areas - pdf 296kB

H J Lyne, District Forester, Taree, on the benefits of regular burning and firebreaks, in the Australian Forestry Journal in July1918.

Responses to Mr Lyne - pdf 203kB

Responses supporting Mr Lyne appeared in the next issue of Australian Forestry Journal, in October 1918.

Stretton's Introduction - pdf 77kB

The eminent jurist Leonard B Stretton was appointed Royal Commissioner to inquire into the 1939 bushfires. His sharp insights and sound logic formed the basis for a new era of fire management in Victoria. His "introduction" is a graphic account of a high intensity forest fire in eucalypt forest. Full details of his work is here (click on link): Black Friday -- Royal Commission