Kimberley burning program completed

The State Government's aerial prescribed burning program for the Kimberley's early dry season has been completed, having involved 20,000km of land and 200 hours of flying time.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the program had been very successful, despite finishing two weeks later than usual because of widespread rain in May.

"This year's program incorporated significant involvement with Aboriginal community members," Mrs Faragher said.

"The Kimberley Land Council co-ordinated more than 60 people to attend planning workshops, training, aerial and ground burning on conservation lands managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), unallocated Crown lands and Aboriginal lands. 

"The increased involvement of Kimberley traditional owners in the planning and delivery of the fire program has been a significant part of DEC's commitment to improving fire management across the region.

"The participation and training of indigenous rangers has also resulted in a significant increase in our capacity to deliver better fire outcomes."

Kimberley Regional Fire co-ordinator Ed Hatherley said DEC managed nearly 5.8 million hectares of land in the north Kimberley.

"Of this, nearly 650,000ha were treated with patchy mosaic cool burns, designed to limit the impact and spread of the late dry season bushfires that occur each year," Mr Hatherley said. 

"In addition, 175,000ha of Aboriginal lands were also treated in conjunction with traditional owners this season.

"The total area DEC and Kimberley traditional owners worked across in 2010 represents approximately 18 per cent of the region."

The Minister said improved fire management and re-establishing a regime of cooler mosaic burning earlier in the dry season was one of the main issues identified in consultations over the development of the State Government's Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy.

Minister's office - 9213 7250