Calls for a stay on 'controlled' burning in parks pending a sound scientific approach
The Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) today raised concerns about a 'controlled' burn that has got out of control in Messent Conservation Park, in the state's South East.
CCSA raised concerns about potential short term impacts from the extensive wildfire at Messent CP on native animals - through fire exposure, weather exposure, starvation and predation by foxes etc - and about the long term impacts on biodiversity by inadvertently increasing the frequency and intensity of fire on natural systems.
"This is not an isolated incident. Over recent years the Department for Environment and Heritage and the Country Fire Service have lost control of a number of so called 'controlled' burns. Whilst the Department carries out few prescribed or 'controlled' burns, it is our understanding that more than 50% have become uncontrollable wildfires", said Ms Jasemin Rose, CCSA Vice President.
Examples include:
& Marble Hill in 2001;
& Mount Scott Conservation Park in 1996, and
& Flinders Chase National Park in the mid 1980's.
Further plans for controlled burning are of concern to conservationists - including plans to burn the Wilderness areas of Flinders Chase on Kangaroo Island including plans to drop incendiaries into isolated parts of the Park.
"It is important that the reasons for 'controlled' burning are made clear from the outset. Burning for ecological benefit is different than burning for hazard reduction - the two need to be approached in different ways", said Ms Rose.
"We are calling for a stay on ALL prescribed burning until Government is willing to fund adequate and comprehensive research AND to provide the large infrastructure of staff, water bombers and equipment necessary to prevent this type of escape in the future.
"It costs many thousands of dollars, and considerable voluntary time from the CFS, to fight a wildfire like this one. The lives of firefighters and native animals should not be put at risk", said Ms Rose.
Prescribed burning has its place, both for habitat management and fuel reduction, but it has to be used wisely. The record of 'controlled' burning in SA's Parks to date does not demonstrate that that is yet the case.
Further comment: Jasemin Rose
