❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the reasons and fire history of a prescribed burn in Walpole National Park. The response details the burn's objectives (protecting Nornalup and biodiversity) and provides a fire history, clarifying historical data recording practices.
AnsweredQoN 1808Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Prescribed Burn FRK_099 (81 ha in Walpole National Park, on the banks of the
Frankland River), and I ask: (a) what
are the reasons for this prescribed burn; and (b) what
is the fire history of the area, including all past fires (both prescribed
burns and wildfires) and the month and year they occurred?
Frankland River), and I ask: (a) what
are the reasons for this prescribed burn; and (b) what
is the fire history of the area, including all past fires (both prescribed
burns and wildfires) and the month and year they occurred?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 February 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment
Response time
2 days
a. The objectives of the prescribed burn are to protect the settlement of Nornalup from bushfire and protect and maintain biodiversity values by reducing the risk of severe bushfires.
b. Prescribed burn history. ( Corporate Data – DBCA Fire History – July 2023 )
Prescribed Burn 16/09/1969 spring
Unknown 16/09/1979 spring
Prescribed Burn 16/09/1986 spring
Prescribed Burn 21/04/2015 autumn
The burn history record dates with the prefix 16/09 is a nominal date not the actual burn date.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions historically used the spring and autumn season names to identify the two key periods suitable for prescribed burning. In the Nornalup area, the ‘spring’ period generally extends into January due to higher moisture levels in forest fuels, making conditions suitable for the safe implementation of prescribed burning.
As such, prescribed burns recorded for Nornalup as occurring in spring are most likely to have occurred between late November and late January rather than in September or October when the forest fuel profile is saturated.
The fire history record identified as ‘unknown’ is most likely related to a bushfire event.
b. Prescribed burn history. ( Corporate Data – DBCA Fire History – July 2023 )
Prescribed Burn 16/09/1969 spring
Unknown 16/09/1979 spring
Prescribed Burn 16/09/1986 spring
Prescribed Burn 21/04/2015 autumn
The burn history record dates with the prefix 16/09 is a nominal date not the actual burn date.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions historically used the spring and autumn season names to identify the two key periods suitable for prescribed burning. In the Nornalup area, the ‘spring’ period generally extends into January due to higher moisture levels in forest fuels, making conditions suitable for the safe implementation of prescribed burning.
As such, prescribed burns recorded for Nornalup as occurring in spring are most likely to have occurred between late November and late January rather than in September or October when the forest fuel profile is saturated.
The fire history record identified as ‘unknown’ is most likely related to a bushfire event.
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