- Prescribed burning is essential for reducing the build-up of flammable vegetation and ground fuels
- Parks and Wildlife Service staff will utilise suitable weather conditions to safely undertake prescribed burns
Prescribed burning is now underway in areas surrounding Perth and across the south-west of the State to protect communities from devastating summer bushfires.
The Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is using favourable spring conditions to undertake prescribed burns.
A mix of larger burns on forest areas and smaller burns closer to communities and townsites during spring will significantly reduce the threat and severity of devastating bushfires and help protect lives, infrastructure and biodiversity values.
Prescribed burning is highly dependent on suitable weather conditions, fuel moisture and a range of other factors to be undertaken safely.
The department aims to minimise smoke impacts, and people with conditions exacerbated by smoke should take precautions in line with their medical advice.
As noted by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The McGowan Government is committed to protecting the Western Australian community from the damaging impacts of bushfires using a collaborative approach to bushfire mitigation between government agencies, local government authorities and industry.
"The department will be undertaking prescribed burning over the coming weeks as part of its shared responsibility in keeping communities safe.
"The spring months allow a short window of opportunity for department staff and volunteers to safely undertake this vital work, and we thank the community for their patience and understanding during this time."
