Dunkeld was the star as it played host to the grassland curing team over the last week, when they filmed three short, field-based training videos.
The footage was shot at the farm of Brendan Gordon, Vegetation Management Officer and Dunkeld Brigade Captain, and also along the roadways and in the fields of Dunkeld. Starring in the videos were Anthony Watt, Vegetation Management Officer, and Terry Hanley, Wildfire Instructor. A number of animals and several children also made it into the movies. 'We wanted them to be as realistic as possible, given that grassland curing observers are normal people juggling family and farm life, while also collecting valuable data to help manage grassfire risk', says Jude Alexander, Scientific Officer for the grassland curing project team.
After a slight hiccup, when a roadside burn was postponed due to a TFB declaration, some filming was also done during a roadside burn in mixed grasses, including kangaroo grass and phalaris. 'The Grampians provided a stunning backdrop to the videos, but their beauty couldn't upstage the performers, who did a great job' says Susan Kidnie, Research Officer for the grassland curing team. 'There was a great turnout to the burn and it was managed very professionally by Dunkeld Brigade', added Susan.
The videos are part of a training package that will go online later this year, allowing grassland curing observers to access training from any location. The five videos cover a number of aspects of grassland curing, including assessing curing and fuel loads, data entry and the use of satellite. 'I hope the video can shed some light on the role of satellites and how they can be used in the future,' says Danielle Martin, Remote Sensing Analyst. Danni is the presenter on the video on satellite technology. David Nichols, Manager of Research and Innovation, also presents two videos - one for CFA staff on validating data, and a video explaining how satellites were originally used by NASA during the cold war to track small grain crops worldwide. This technology was then developed for other uses, including analysis of fire risk.
The grassland curing team is very grateful to the Dunkeld and surrounding brigades for their hospitality and forbearance over the last week.
Author: JUDE ALEXANDER