Contrary to common belief, some forests get more fire-resistant with age

An out-of-season bushfire raged through Sydney's southwest at the weekend, burning more than 2,400 hectares and threatening homes. As the fire season extends and heatwaves become more frequent, it's vital to preserve our natural protections. My research, recently released in the journal Austral Ecology, contradict one of the central assumptions in Australian fire management - that forest accumulate fuel over time and become increasingly flammable.