Prescribed burns push

Prescribed burns annual targets for 2019-20 in the Warren region are behind schedule but work is under way to make sure as many are done as possible.

Prescribed burns for the autumn season will begin soon in an effort to reduce bushfire risk in the region.

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Warren region fire management leader Brad Barton said about 20 of the targeted 54 burns had been undertaken in the region.

Mr Barton said the situation provided the fire management team with more opportunities to prioritise burns in an attempt to complete more controlled burns.

“Burns have to take place in appropriate places at appropriate times,” he said.

“Significant burns will soon take place around the communities around the Cascades, in an area that backs on to Pemberton.”

The Cascades burn will take place in the next week or so and Mr Barton encouraged people to visit the DBCA or Emergency WA websites to stay up-to-date on prescribed burns.

The fire management team has to seek permission for an exemption to hold a burn if it takes place during a prohibited burning period.

“We consider weather patterns, soil moisture and other factors when deciding when to hold a burn,” Mr Barton said.

“We go through a rigorous process.”

Leading into the autumn burning season, the DBCA consults stakeholders including traditional custodians of the area, the wine industry and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Burns will take place through to May or June, or until it is too wet to burn, according to Mr Barton.

The Warren DBCA fire management team manages almost one million hectares of land and during the prescribed burning season, about 160 people work on fire mitigation.

“We’ve had a relatively quiet bushfire season,” Mr Barton said. “I need to acknowledge the support of the shires and bushfire brigades.

“They are normally the first on site to a fire and are a huge support.”