Parks and Wildlife Service hosts series of community meetings to spell out approach to bushfire management

Parks and Wildlife Service hosted a series of community meetings to present its approach to bushfire management in the Warren-Blackwood region to Manjimup and Walpole residents. The meetings covered the department’s approach to managing biodiversity, risk detection and response capabilities. The discussion included current fire science and monitoring projects being implemented which support an adaptive management approach to fire. Information was presented about the 2024-25 season’s fuel management and bushfire suppression efforts, and the draft 2025-26 burn options program. The Parks and Wildlife Service is part of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. The department’s Warren region draft annual and three-year burn options programs will be published on its website in coming months. Region manager Tim Foley said the community meetings were a new approach supporting targeted engagement with the community. “This year, we opened the meetings to anyone in the community with an interest in fire management and we thank the more than 90 people who attended across the two days, including the 55 locals who attended the Walpole meeting,” Mr Foley said. “There are many complexities and challenges the department considers with its bushfire management including biodiversity and cultural heritage values, community protection, visitation and recreational use, seasonal variability and impacts on local agricultural industries, and it’s important that we communicate these. “The complexities and challenges are reflected in the diversity of views around fire management. We welcome these views and are seeking to encourage a constructive dialogue. “It’s also important to recognise that fire management is a shared responsibility with local government and private property owners.”