Cool Fire

Fighting fire with fire

Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory is prone to extreme, devastating wildfires that affect the landscape, people, plants and animals. This project is owned exclusively by Aboriginal people with custodial responsibility for those parts of Arnhem Land under active bushfire management. Local rangers conduct controlled burns early in the dry season to reduce fuel on the ground and establish a mosaic of natural firebreaks, preventing bigger, hotter and uncontrolled wildfires later in the season.

Using both aerial burning (incendiary pellets dropped from helicopters) and ground burning establishes a mosaic of cool burns around the project area.

The project provides employment and training opportunities while supporting Aboriginal people in returning to, remaining on and managing their country as well as the preservation and transfer of knowledge, the maintenance of Aboriginal languages and the wellbeing of traditional custodians.

Sustainable Development Goals