The shift from open woodland to dense forest after European colonisation in 1788 increased the risk of catastrophic wildfires in Australia.

‘Catastrophic #wildfire loop’ after #colonisation left parts of #Australia more at risk from #bushfires https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/08/colonisation-wildfire-loop-australia-climate-bushfires

"Prior to colonisation “this was a cared for and managed landscape." * "‘Catastrophic wildfire loop’ after colonisation left parts of Australia more at risk from bushfires, study finds. Researchers found the shift from open woodland to dense forest after 1788 led to more intense fires, consistent with loss of cultural burning practices." >> https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/08/colonisation-wildfire-loop-australia-climate-bushfires * Australia’s current wildfire crisis linked to colonial land-use change https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-11097-z #Bushfires #fires #CulturalBurning #care #IndigenousKnowledge #FirstNationPeoples #SettlerSociety #EuropeanColonisation #weeds #FossilFuels #climate #ecosystems #degradation #loss #WildfireCrisis