Dan, locks only keep honest people out. Padlocks that defy bolt cutters are no match for a skilled locksmith or indeed me! Albeit have never used this skill for anything but honest outcomes and assistantance to those who have lost their keys.

That said, forest trails with locked gates, don't assist fire fighters or fire starters. Perhaps they could be opened with a master key and such key left with the local fire chief, or his or her deputy.

Anyhow, we once did things very differently and I believe the old tried and tested methods were better, took half the logs and doubled the employment opportunities. Cut logging trails that doubled as fire breaks and put many more self interested eyes looking out for tell tale smoke.

Lookout towers and modern radios could put a loaded and ready, water bombers over the outbreak in minutes as fire crews follow and mop up?

As for sacred sites? Little if any actual proof/archological evidence and lots of perceived humbug around this area as this or that (mixed race) group seeks to reestablish missing or lost ancestorial links? Much of which could be established with proof positive, DNA tests!
Alan B.

Very well said Robert. As an older forester I can certainly appreciate your frustration over this.

It is particularly disappointing that climate change is constantly used as an excuse for the failure of changed fire management strategies, especially risk averse practices instituted as a response to health and safety concerns.

The risks to fire-fighters increase exponentially with the size of fires, so taking the calculated risks needed to control fires when they are small are entirely justified. However, where there is a lack of on-ground experience, it is understandable that risks aren't as readily taken. A big part of the problem is the loss of much of the timber industry because harvesting contractors were always the most experienced bush-wise machinery operators. Soon they will disappear from both Vic and WA as State Labor Govts close their hardwood timber industries, supposedly to 'protect' the environment. The inevitable surge in more bigger fires will be simply added to the list of supposed climate change impacts.