How does fire affect desert Country? This is a key question that Karajarri Rangers and Traditional Owners want to understand, so they can best manage fire and biodiversity across their Indigenous Protected Area south of Broome, in north-west Australia.
Pirra Jungku, meaning desert fire, is a project in which the rangers work alongside scientists from the Threatened Species Recovery Hub and Environs Kimberley. Together they are comparing traditional, fine-scale cultural burning carried out from the ground with contemporary landscape-scale techniques such as aerial burning, looking at what each means for Country, culture and biodiversity. The Karajarri IPA spans coast, pirra (shrublands) and marangurru (spinifex Country).
Nicolas travelled to Karajarri Country to film and photograph this work, documenting the rangers, the landscape and the fire management on their Country.
The song heard at the opening of the film was recorded by Dr Ann Jones and provided for the edit. During the same period, Dr Jones recorded an episode of the ABC’s Off Track with the Karajarri rangers, which can be heard here.