Favourable weather conditions have allowed Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters to progress a prescribed burn today, Wednesday 9 October, which will cause smoke impacts in the Perth metropolitan area.

Parks and Wildlife Service Swan Region manager Benson Todd said the prescribed burn east of Bedfordale is a priority to protect communities around Kelmscott, Karragullen and Roleystone from the threat of bushfires this summer.

“As this is a priority community protection burn, it’s important that we take advantage of the favourable weather conditions this week to help protect communities in the Perth Hills,” Mr Todd said.

“This prescribed burn also protects water catchments in the Canning Reservoir and areas of mainland quokka habitat.

“The core ignitions taking place today follow some initial edging work completed last week in order to minimise smoke impacts on school holiday activity and the Tulip Festival at Araluen.

“Smoke over Perth is likely on Wednesday and Thursday, however smoke is unlikely to accumulate due to moderate easterly winds and week inversions.”

The Parks and Wildlife Service will be issuing smoke alerts early in the day this week and amending them throughout the day as needed to give people as much notice as possible about where smoke is likely to impact.

“There is only a narrow window of favourable weather conditions remaining ahead of summer for firefighters to safely conduct these important larger prescribed burns in the Perth Hills area,” Mr Todd said.

For more information and to learn where prescribed burning will be taking place, visit https://dbca.wa.gov.au/todaysburns