An award-winning bushfire researcher is one step closer to publishing a photography-based project that would give people a more comprehensive view of the Orroral Valley fire and potentially help bushfire detection in the future.
Dr Marta Yebra, director of the Australian National University's Bushfire Initiative, which aims to protect Australia from catastrophic bushfires, has received a proof copy of After the Orroral Valley Fire, a project that came about during her data-collection work in the fire's aftermath.
Being a professional photographer and an associate professor of environment and engineering at the ANU, Dr Yebra combined her two passions to take photos of about 300 sites around the burnt perimeter while she worked with ACT Parks and Conservation Service on projects that involved remote sensing data to assess fire severity.
"These photos have a dual objective in my mind," she said.
"One is to back up the observations (of the fire).
"I had this photo book idea also because I thought that not everybody had the opportunity to see how it looks.
"I want to raise awareness of the impacts of bushfires, because most people think that once a fire is extinguished, the problem is solved.
"But there are a lot of things that come afterwards. In the book, I have a few pictures of restorations that are happening to avoid or prevent or something like that from happening again."
Dr Yebra said she spent about three days and 10 hours' flight time taking the photographs.
"I have always loved photography and I always use my own photos for conferences and things like that to communicate my research," she said.
Dr Yebra said she had no definitive time frame for when she will be releasing the final draft of her book, but she is seeking feedback.
"I really want to know whether there is interest for this type of book," she said.
"Whether this is the right format and if it's long enough."
Proof copy of my photo book project just arrived!!! I am after feedback so drop by my office if you want to see inside!! pic.twitter.com/NcvntKqN5I
— Marta Yebra (@Myebra12) August 2, 2021
The fire occurred in January 2020, burning about 80 per cent of Namadgi National Park and 22 per cent of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
Dr Yebra received her proof copy around the same time as ACT Chief Coroner Lorraine Walker announcing an inquiry will be held into the cause, origin and immediate response to the fire, which was sparked by a defence helicopter.
The inquiry will focus on the 45 minutes it took the helicopter crew to alert the ACT Emergency Service Agency to the fire's location after their aircraft's landing light accidentally ignited the blaze.
Dr Yebra said the inquiry would be a positive step towards learning more about what happened.
"Although it seems quite straightforward, there might be other underlying issues that perhaps the fire managers and the community still don't know, so it's always good to learn from past experiences," she said.
"The more we can learn about this, the more we can cope with these events in the future."
To provide feedback, readers may contact Dr Yebra via email.
