We examined the influence of airtankers on the successful containment of forest fires in the province of Ontario. Three models were developed to estimate the probability of initial attack success based on different information available to the fire management agency throughout the fire response process.

To understand how wildfires influence biogeochemical processes in the northern Sierra Nevada, we collected soil samples immediately before and over the course of 10 months following a wildfire. We found that fire and soil moisture interacted to generate pulses of N mineralisation that varied non-monotonically with increasing burn severity.

Population modelling of a fire-killed grevillea shows that fire frequency (preferably exceeding 30-year intervals) and the extent of fire coverage (preferably exceeding 60% of the ground surface) are crucial factors in enhancing the conservation status of this species.

In response to Lamont’s critique, we highlight the nuances of modelling and observing population dynamics, the benefits of cross-cultural research and ongoing challenges for fire management. We reinforce our conclusion that cultural fire management supported by science provides the most adaptive approach to support the recovery of the Backwater grevillea.