A nature-driven concept for rebuilding wildfire territories

UK – Speculative artist Suzie McMurtry has developed a proposal for how fungal spores can revitalise land that has been damaged by wildfires.

The conceptual project is centred around a resilient sculptural mechanism made up of a steel pod with a fire-retardant mycelium exterior. The pod contains water and dormant oyster mushroom spores, and is sealed with a cork. It is designed to be positioned on hazardous land at all times so that it can react automatically when a fire breaks out. During this procedure the water in the pod heats up, gradually causing an increase in pressure. The pressure is released as the fire subsides, and the sealing cork is freed, subsequently scattering fungal spores in the process. These spores then take root in the damaged ground and work to remove pollutants from the toxic environment, as well as to remediate the soil.

As climatic conditions worsen, the risk of wildfires increases, as does the length of fire seasons. Between 1979 and 2019, the length of the fire weather season increased by 14 days per year (27%), according to a recent study by the University of East Anglia. This is affecting regions across the globe, but particularly fire-prone countries such as Australia, South Africa and California. McMurty’s system, which is modelled on trees such as Australian banksia, demonstrates the power of creative abilities when it comes to planning and future-proofing our planet.