Wildfire deaths have Australian government questioning its “stay and defend” policy
The raging wildfires in southern Australia, which have killed more than 130 people so far, have the government questioning its evacuation policy. After similarly lethal fires in 1983, the Australians pioneered a “Leave Early or Stay and Defend” approach, training homeowners to protect their properties, and making them part of the firefighting plan. It’s an idea that has been exported all around the world. But now, many are wondering if the policy has contributed to the soaring death toll.