Prescribed burning is a rapidly evolving and highly complex issue in Western Australia.

In the South West of WA, prescribed burning is managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

DBCA relies on widespread prescribed burning as its main bushfire mitigation strategy.

It’s important to recognise that cultural burning, practiced by First Nation peoples for thousands of years, is fundamentally different from the often large-scale, high-intensity burns currently used by the DBCA. Cultural burns are deeply connected to knowledge of Country and are designed to heal and manage the land—not harm it.

With a changing climate and declining biodiversity there are concerns that the current approach is failing communities and nature—there are concerns that this approach is resulting in more intense fires, widespread ecosystem damage, and significant biodiversity loss.

To prevent intense fires and biodiversity loss, we need a shift in approach.

For further reading and resources on this issue, explore the links below.