❓ Question addresses prescribed burning measures in place to mitigate bushfire risk, following severe fire seasons. The Minister outlines the government's commitment and specific prescribed burn program, highlighting community briefings and smoke management efforts.
AnsweredQoN 1059Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
We are all acutely aware of the devastation that bushfires wreaked on the east coast last summer. I also understand that the fire season in the south west of our State was perhaps the worst on record over the past 40 years. What measures are in place to ensure adequate prescribed burning is undertaken prior to this summer’s bushfire season? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
As members know, this Government is committed to a strong program of prescribed burning. With our particular climate, geography and topography, we need prescribed burning to protect communities, people’s lives and biodiversity values. To that end, the Department of Conservation and Land Management began a program on 1 September of 216 prescribed burns over 168 000 hectares in the south west between September this year and January next year. CALM has briefed local communities. Maps and briefings are being provided to warn communities when they will happen and that smoke is a likely outcome. CALM will continue to make sure that it deals with these issues carefully. CALM works very closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to try to minimise the smoke impact on communities. Nevertheless, there will be some smoke impact. Mr P.D. Omodei: There were 498 fires last year. In how many cases was prior warning given to the public? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: As members know, this Government is committed to a strong program of prescribed burning. With our particular climate, geography and topography, we need prescribed burning to protect communities, people’s lives and biodiversity values. To that end, the Department of Conservation and Land Management began a program on 1 September of 216 prescribed burns over 168 000 hectares in the south west between September this year and January next year. CALM has briefed local communities. Maps and briefings are being provided to warn communities when they will happen and that smoke is a likely outcome. CALM will continue to make sure that it deals with these issues carefully. CALM works very closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to try to minimise the smoke impact on communities. Nevertheless, there will be some smoke impact. Mr P.D. Omodei: There were 498 fires last year. In how many cases was prior warning given to the public? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
As members know, this Government is committed to a strong program of prescribed burning. With our particular climate, geography and topography, we need prescribed burning to protect communities, people’s lives and biodiversity values. To that end, the Department of Conservation and Land Management began a program on 1 September of 216 prescribed burns over 168 000 hectares in the south west between September this year and January next year. CALM has briefed local communities. Maps and briefings are being provided to warn communities when they will happen and that smoke is a likely outcome. CALM will continue to make sure that it deals with these issues carefully. CALM works very closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to try to minimise the smoke impact on communities. Nevertheless, there will be some smoke impact. Mr P.D. Omodei: There were 498 fires last year. In how many cases was prior warning given to the public? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
CALM will continue to make sure that it deals with these issues carefully. CALM works very closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to try to minimise the smoke impact on communities. Nevertheless, there will be some smoke impact. Mr P.D. Omodei: There were 498 fires last year. In how many cases was prior warning given to the public? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
Mr P.D. Omodei: There were 498 fires last year. In how many cases was prior warning given to the public? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: As members know, this Government is committed to a strong program of prescribed burning. With our particular climate, geography and topography, we need prescribed burning to protect communities, people’s lives and biodiversity values. To that end, the Department of Conservation and Land Management began a program on 1 September of 216 prescribed burns over 168 000 hectares in the south west between September this year and January next year. CALM has briefed local communities. Maps and briefings are being provided to warn communities when they will happen and that smoke is a likely outcome. CALM will continue to make sure that it deals with these issues carefully. CALM works very closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to try to minimise the smoke impact on communities. Nevertheless, there will be some smoke impact. Mr P.D. Omodei: There were 498 fires last year. In how many cases was prior warning given to the public? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
As members know, this Government is committed to a strong program of prescribed burning. With our particular climate, geography and topography, we need prescribed burning to protect communities, people’s lives and biodiversity values. To that end, the Department of Conservation and Land Management began a program on 1 September of 216 prescribed burns over 168 000 hectares in the south west between September this year and January next year. CALM has briefed local communities. Maps and briefings are being provided to warn communities when they will happen and that smoke is a likely outcome. CALM will continue to make sure that it deals with these issues carefully. CALM works very closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to try to minimise the smoke impact on communities. Nevertheless, there will be some smoke impact. Mr P.D. Omodei: There were 498 fires last year. In how many cases was prior warning given to the public? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
CALM will continue to make sure that it deals with these issues carefully. CALM works very closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to try to minimise the smoke impact on communities. Nevertheless, there will be some smoke impact. Mr P.D. Omodei: There were 498 fires last year. In how many cases was prior warning given to the public? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
Mr P.D. Omodei: There were 498 fires last year. In how many cases was prior warning given to the public? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The member for Warren-Blackwood made a very good point. Members opposite should look at our record on prescribed burning. In the last season it was excellent. Of course we do not want wildfires, and we argue that wildfires cause risk to people’s lives, especially the people fighting the fires, and to property. People also suffer from the smoke caused by wildfires. For those reasons, a very good program is in place. People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
People who were observant on 1 September will have noticed that five burns were in progress around Perth. The spring burning program started from 1 September. CALM ran the risk of a smoke haze sitting over the city but got away with it. I am also happy to inform the House that, during winter, prescribed burns were undertaken on over 3 500 hectares of the pine plantation. The prescribed burn program has operated even in winter. This is a very serious issue for our State that should concern us all. The Government takes it seriously and is ensuring that the necessary prescribed burns are undertaken to protect the community.
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