This is not only a personal story of what it was like experiencing the most widespread bushfire on Kangaroo Island, but also the regeneration and resilience in nature we have witnesssed over the last few years.
Photo credit: The Australian
The Bushfires of 2019/20
A summer dry lightning storm ignited the flames. What was originally thought to be under control, soon became untamed with the help of strong winds. Once the fire entered the largest National Park in Flinders Chase, it was hard to control.
Everyone was on alert. Working at Vivonne Bay at the time, we were constantly checking the CFS website. We didn't know what was going to happen, but we always stayed up-to-date.
We saw a divide start between the community, the government and volunteers. As farms and houses were destroyed, surely someone was to blame? But, with a immenant need to stop further damage, everyone got together fighting for their community. It seemed like all the farmers had their own mobile fire fighting system, that offered support to the big fire fighting trucks.
Once we received the evacuation alert for our area we packed up our favourite belongings and fled to Kingscote. I was living temporarily in my parents campervan at the time, of which, I didn't have the time or know-how to pack up and take with me. So, unfortunately it stayed put.
The result of 2019/20 bushfires:
2 lives lost
56 homes destroyed
2115,500 hectares burnt (38% of the entire island)
97% of Flinders Chase National Park burnt
25,000 koalas died as well as thousands of kangaroos, sheep, and other wildlife like dunnarts and glossy black cockatoos.
Countless volunteer hours and support
I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the community and volunteers that were directly and indirectly impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires.
Life after the bushfire...
The fire tells a true story of resilience. It seems that nature has its own stages of recovery. First it was the fungi in the soil, which we couldn't see, balancing the soil pH back to something that plants can grow in again.
Then, the first signs of green first came back within three weeks. Yes, three weeks.
Grass Trees (yaccas)
Did you know Grass Trees are highly resistant to fires? It actually stimulates their growth and encourages them to flower. They were the only plant I could visibly see that survived the fire, without needing to sprout again.
Photo credit: Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network
Each animal had its own way of responding and adapting to life after the fire too. Here's a few stories that we like to share.
Koalas
If koalas managed to escape from the fire and colonise in other areas. Often, volunteers were relocating koalas since they could sometimes find 8 koalas in the one tree. We found the population dramatically increase in the unburnt bushlnd of Little Sahara. Now, over two years after the fire, we are seeing them return home to Flinders Chase National Park.
Echidnas
Did you know echidnas have the ability to burrow down and slow down their metabolism so they don't need to eat or drink for long periods?
That meant, echidnas were able to burrow and hibernate if they could. An amazing story of resilience as well as adaptation.
Endangered species
Conservationists were mostly concerned about the survival of endangered species. Fire threatened these species to possible extinction. The two main animals were the Dunnart and the Glossy Black Cockatoo.
Kangaroo Island Dunnarts
This small marsupial was only found in Flinders Chase National Park and the adjoining the Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area. Conservationists believed few would be remaining after the fire, however, experts have sighted over 60 different Dunnarts over 22 sites. A management program is now in place to reduce the impact of their biggest predator, feral cats.
Glossy Black Cockatoo
54% of their feeding areas were destroyed in the fires. However, experts believe significant recovery programs for their food source, the Drooping Sheoak, has meant their recent sightings has only reduced slightly. What is more exciting is their was a sighting on mainland Australia - the first time since the 1970s!
I would also like to recognise the people that have built back their livelihoods once again. The courage, effort and resilience to build back what took them a lifetime, is incredibly inspiring. Absolute legends.
The Landscape Now
Now, as of July 2023, the landscape looks incredible. It seems that, without our help, the plants were able to regenerate again.
Photo credit: The Australian
And now...
Photo credit: tapanahm
Now is a better time than ever to visit this pocket of paradise. Not only to enjoy the landscape and wildlife, but to appreciate the regeneration and resilience nature has in rebuilding itself over and over again.
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