And some hoon arsonist(s) burnt the famous and sacred gum trees in Alice.

My own thinking is that many of the disastrous fires are caused by deliberate actions by idiots who have no respect for life nor property.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20907588

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/04/australia-ghost-gum-trees-burnt