Let's change forest fire management

Every year, up to 200,000 ha of forests and other ecosystems in the South West of WA are burnt by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

Whilst the prescribed burn program is intended to reduce the risk of wildfire, in reality, frequent fire is increasing flammability in some ecosystems as well as having profoundly negative impacts on biodiversity, climate and people’s health.

This issue has come sharply into focus with the Southwest forests suffering through the hottest and driest summers ever recorded. This has led to prescribed burns resulting in immense damage, as seen at the Giants East forest block near the famous Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk at the end of 2024. This prescribed burn destroyed over 180 ancient Tingle and Karri trees, highlighting the major flaws in the current prescribed burning program.

With a new WA Environment Minister, Matthew Swinbourn, and impressive new bushfire detection and suppression technologies, there are opportunities for the outdated program to change to protect biodiversity, as well as life and property. Now is the time to make our concerns loud and clear. Please ask the new Minister to enact urgent changes to better manage fire in WA’s forests.