EMAIL THE MINISTER
It is 'prescribed' burning season again and we need urgent action to ensure that threatened and endangered flora and fauna species and vulnerable ecosystems are not impacted by fire. We need a reduction in the severity, scale and frequency of prescribed burning and an increase in fire exclusion reference areas (FERA's).
GET INVOLVED
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Change is required at a policy level and we need our voices heard. You can support our campaign for a review into prescribed burning management by emailing our Minister for Environment and Climate Action, The Hon. Reece Whitby MLA We have prepared a pro forma letter that you can use, or you can write your own.
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Dear Minister,
I am writing to express my concern about the unwarranted severity, scale and frequency of 'prescribed' burning in the south-west of WA.
Current fire regimes are having a significant and probably irreversible impact on the unique native flora, fauna and their communities in this internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot.
A number of species are known to be under threat or endangered. Several ecosystems, including granite outcrops and peat wetlands that potentially harbour restricted communities and are being burned despite Agency directives that they should be excluded from fire.
I am asking that you intervene to:
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Reduce the severity of the burns
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Reduce the size of the burns
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Reduce the frequency of burn cycles to allow flora and fauna recovery.
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Exclude more of the landscape from prescribed burning by increasing the number and size of Fire Exclusion Reference Areas (FERA) and create a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of reserves from which fire is either excluded or only allowed for strictly ecological reasons.
Recent prescribed burns have been severe, leaving no ground or crown cover over extensive areas. My concern is that this results in soil erosion, intrusion of foreign species (weeds, pigs, foxes and cats) and permanent loss of critical habitat, putting more pressure on remaining country.
As the numbers of Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable species are on the increase[1] it is of utmost importance that we mitigate this trend. Because of the broad scale, frequency and severity of prescribed burning, fauna habitat is lost, nutrients are depleted and the general health of our ecosystems is impoverished.
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I want future generations to inherit a country with intact conservation estates, healthy ecosystems and the unique flora and fauna the south-west is known for.
With best wishes for a recovering planet.
Yours sincerely,
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[1] WA Auditor General Report 2017, Rich and Rare: Conservation of Threatened Species Follow-up Audit.