Many bushfires are often caused by arsonists. 

But house loss and deaths 

are often exacerbated 

by the contributory negligence 

of householders themselves 

– being outside in flimsy clothing, 

having unprepared houses 
and cluttered, highly flammable gardens -

TV pictures of flames rising high and quickly up trees 
despite little wind, 

show the extreme flammability of native vegetation. 

Homes need a ‘lifebelt’ of fire resistant plants in their gardens. 

Townships would be safer with this also.