❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks data on bushfires and prescribed burns in the South West region for 2013 and 2014. The answer provides some data, but acknowledges limitations in comprehensive reporting, particularly for prescribed burns by local governments and others.
AnsweredQoN 3069Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In each of the years 2013 and 2014, how many bush fires were ignited in the South West region? (2) In each of the years 2013 and 2014, what was the total area burnt by bush fires in the South West region? (3) In each of the years 2013 and 2014, how many prescribed burns were performed in the South West region? (4) In each of the years 2013 and 2014, what total area was burnt through prescribed burns in the South West region?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 June 2015
Responded by
Attorney General representing the Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
41 days
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
The South West Region for reporting purposes includes the following Local Government's: City of Bunbury; Shire of Capel; Shire of Collie; Shire of Dardanup; Shire of Harvey; Shire of Murray; and Shire of Waroona.
(1) Number of fires per calendar year in the South West Region
2013: 342;
2014: 395; and
2015 (to 30/04/2015): 221.
(2) Hectares recorded per calendar year in the South West Region
2013: 150;
2014: 697; and
2015 (to 30/4/2015): 1,110.
Information provided for (1) and (2) is correct as at 11/5/2015. The data only includes incidents which have been entered on to the DFES Incident Reporting System, and is subject to change as more reports are received.
(3) - (4) The Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) receives on a financial year basis prescribed burning outturn results from both the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) and DFES. Currently burning undertaken by local government and others is not comprehensively reported and therefore cannot be reported on.
Within the Southwest Bushfire Risk Zone in 2012/13, DFES conducted 112 burns over 426 hectares and DPaW undertook 88 burns covering 23,454 hectares. In 2013/14, DFES conducted 12 burns across 114 hectares and DPaW undertook 90.
The South West Region for reporting purposes includes the following Local Government's: City of Bunbury; Shire of Capel; Shire of Collie; Shire of Dardanup; Shire of Harvey; Shire of Murray; and Shire of Waroona.
(1) Number of fires per calendar year in the South West Region
2013: 342;
2014: 395; and
2015 (to 30/04/2015): 221.
(2) Hectares recorded per calendar year in the South West Region
2013: 150;
2014: 697; and
2015 (to 30/4/2015): 1,110.
Information provided for (1) and (2) is correct as at 11/5/2015. The data only includes incidents which have been entered on to the DFES Incident Reporting System, and is subject to change as more reports are received.
(3) - (4) The Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) receives on a financial year basis prescribed burning outturn results from both the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) and DFES. Currently burning undertaken by local government and others is not comprehensively reported and therefore cannot be reported on.
Within the Southwest Bushfire Risk Zone in 2012/13, DFES conducted 112 burns over 426 hectares and DPaW undertook 88 burns covering 23,454 hectares. In 2013/14, DFES conducted 12 burns across 114 hectares and DPaW undertook 90.
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