Autumn burns for community protection

30/3/05
The Department of Conservation and Land Management has listed a number of areas in the Capes area for prescribed burning this autumn.
The burns will help reduce the threat of summer wildfires to communities and popular recreation spots at Yallingup, Gracetown, Contos, Ellenbrook, Margaret River and Hamelin.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards said the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park was one of the single most popular tourist destinations in the State, attracting more than a million visitors a year.
As well as park facilities for visitors, there also were walking trails, including the Cape to Cape trail and Aboriginal and European heritage sites.
"CALM will consult with local communities and stakeholders before the burns are started," Dr Edwards said.
"In particular, the burn areas will be signposted and maximum care will be taken to ensure park users are aware of the impending burns."
Dr Edwards said prescribed burning had been recognised as an ecologically sound method of reducing the intensity of summer bushfires that can threaten environmental values as well as community assets.
"The Environmental Protection Authority's report following its review of CALM's fire management in the South-West native forests specifically acknowledge that prescribed burning lessens the intensity of bushfires and raises the chances of controlling them," she said.
CALM also will increase its permanent fire crew staff for fire management operations in its Blackwood District that extends from east of Bridgetown to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste coast.
Three full-time fire crew staff would be appointed this month and two more in August. As well as fire management operations, the additional staff also would undertake works associated with CALM nature conservation and parks and visitor services programs.
The move was part of the State Government's commitment to increase CALM's allocated budget for fire, with the $2.75million commitment to employ 40 extra permanent fire crew in addition to an extra $24.3million over four years, commencing in 2004-05, for fire management.
Dr Edwards said details of CALM's autumn prescribed burning program were available from the department's office in Busselton. The information included the size and location of planned burns, the objectives and the prescriptions.
Minister's office: - 9220 5050