The Conversation: Hidden clues in Colonial Journals reveal why Tasmanias remote west keeps burning

1830's Colonial journals of George Augustus Robinson provide valuable insight into fire frequency and fire history in Tasmania's remote West Coast. Journal records from trips around Bathurst Harbour and to Cape Grim show a contrasting open landscape compared to the dense vegetation that exists in some of these landscapes today. These descriptions suggest Palawa people were actively managing these areas to maintain these open landscapes. Cessation of these cultural burning practices, coupled with increased dry lightning events, has increased the fire risk of the area. Concerted effort between TWWHA Managers and Palawa people to on cultural burning could help reduce this risk.