An expert scientific review has found native forest logging can make forests more flammable and lead to elevated fire severity for several decades.

The review of 51 peer-reviewed research papers also concludes that a process known as 'mechanical thinning' can actually increase bushfire risk in some cases.

One of the report's authors, Professor Brendan Mackey, says practices previously thought to decrease fire risk may in fact increase fire severity over the mid-to-long term.

“Climate change is reducing winter rainfall in Southern and Southeastern Australia and this is leading to much a dryer forest fuel loads at the start of the fire season climate change is also causing much hotter Springs more heatwaves and a longer fire season.” Said Mackey.

 

 

Image by Terri Sharp from Pixabay