Question On Notice No. 3411 asked in the Legislative Council on 5 November 2020 by Hon Diane Evers
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
Given that smoke from fire in native and introduced vegetation can exacerbate cardiovasculor diseases and respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema and can cause lung cancer and deaths among community members, fire fighters and those conducting prescribed burns, what steps is the Government taking to:
(a) minimise the amount of prescribed burning; and
(b) implement rapid detection and at-source suppression of wildfire ignitions?
Answered on 26 November 2020
a. The McGowan Government reaffirms its support of prescribed burning as the primary means of reducing combustible fuel and therefore the risk of bushfire to the community and the environment.
In this respect the McGowan Government is faced with the task of balancing the impacts of smoke from prescribed burning against the need to protect our communities from the damaging impacts of bushfires and the higher level of community smoke impacts that such bushfires can cause.
b. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) uses a range of bushfire detection systems including near real-time satellite imagery, fire lookout towers and spotter aircraft that are primarily used in the south-west of the State, where early warning of bushfire occurrence is essential to ensure rapid response and appropriate suppression activities minimise the impact of bushfires to the community and the environment.
DBCA works closely with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and local governments in suppressing bushfires under their control. The State has access to a fleet of aerial suppression aircraft, which have been selected and located for their suitability to the operating environment. These aircraft are based at locations throughout the south-west of the State, which are deployed or forward based according to the prevailing conditions, bushfire potential and operational requirements.
I am advised that experience in Western Australia has shown that suppression aircraft are most effective when operating as part of a coordinated strategy that includes bushfire mitigation activities such as prescribed burning and ground-based suppression resources.