Delicate coastal ecosystems decimated in prescribed burns

04 June 2026

An image of Ficifolia block showing total incineration of plant life

A prescribed burn by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) on 8 May 2026 has resulted in almost complete destruction of vegetation along the coastal strip between Rame Head and Peaceful Bay on WA’s south coast, with many areas burnt right down to the sand.

The burn in Ficifolia block (FRK100) is the third time DBCA’s Frankland District has severely burnt coastal ecosystems, with the neighbouring Quarram Nature Reserve and Blue Holes area near Nornalup both ignited in 2024. This has left a 30km stretch of coastal habitat devastated by high-intensity burns stretching from Boat Harbour to the mouth of the Nornalup inlet.

The incineration of vegetation in fragile coastal ecosystems can destabilise sand dunes, increase the risk of erosion and allow invasive weeds to become established. With most of the vegetation destroyed, there is little habitat for wildlife and food sources become scarce.

Large stretches of the Bibbulmun Track have been impacted. Walkers are unable to enjoy the scenic coastal landscape, instead being diverted during the burn or left to walk through scorched earth.

Torching vast stretches of coastal ecosystems is not compatible with an area dependent on nature-based tourism. Protecting the residents of Peaceful Bay from bushfires can be achieved through other methods that do not degrade the natural environment the town is famous for.

Quotes attributable to WA Forest Alliance Senior Campaigner Jason Fowler

“The government department responsible for managing this ecosystem has deliberately destroyed nearly all the vegetation, now we have 30kms of coast at risk of erosion and invasion of weeds that will not be a suitable home for wildlife.”

“DBCA must shift to a program that focuses on rapid bushfire detection and suppression, alongside First Nations-led cultural burning, strategic low-intensity burns and firebreaks to protect places like Peaceful Bay.”

Quotes attributable to South Coast Environment Group Chair Jonathon Schultz

“This burn demonstrates yet again DBCA’s disregard for ecological values, the fiction that prescribed burns are mild and the lack of risk-benefit justification in their planning. One of the most iconic stretches of WA’s South Coast and well-loved sections of the Bibbulmun Track has been turned into a scorched mess for no demonstrable benefit.”

-ENDS-

Protect the tingles from prescribed burning, for good

Tingles are a large, ancient tree species that are only found in a small area in WA’s Southwest, close to Walpole. They can live for more than 400 years, reach heights over 55 metres and have the largest base of any eucalypt, and provide critical habitat to many threatened plants and animals. They are vulnerable to frequent fire.

In December 2024, Giants East, a tingle forest block in the famed Valley of the Giants, was torched as part of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)’s prescribed burning program.

More than 100 giant trees collapsed in the intense burn, with flames reaching the tops of many trees in one of the worst outcomes seen by WA’s prescribed burning program.

After persistent community action, three tingle-karri blocks, Nornalup, Coalmine and Mount Clare received a reprieve at the end of 2025 and were removed from the burn plan until July 2026.

But these blocks, and other tingle forests, aren’t safe forever. They could be on the burn plan for 2026-27. There must be a commitment from the WA Government to permanently protect tingles from prescribed burning and revise how fire is managed in these areas.

Over time, tingle forests self-thin and become naturally less flammable. Left unburnt, they are less of a fire risk than forests burnt in the last 30 years.

In a drying climate that is increasingly prone to bushfires, it’s important to be bushfire ready, but prescribed burning shouldn’t be the only tool in our bushfire prevention kit. It is vital that the Southwest’s prescribed burning practices reflect current science and a changed climate, and funding is directed towards rapid detection and suppression of bushfires.

Smoking collapsed Tingle after the giants east burn

It is of the highest priority that the tingles are protected from fire not just in this burn plan, but for good.

Please contact the Premier and relevant Ministers using our template to urge them to permanently protect tingle forests from prescribed burning. Enter your details to start writing your email.

Read more about the Giants East burn or about rapid suppression technology.