Take Action: Protect People, Forests, and Wildlife
Every voice matters. Here’s what you can do today to help change Western Australia’s approach to fire management — simple steps, clear impact.
Your Voice Counts
Change only happens if people speak up, share stories, and push for reform.
- DBCA aims to burn 200,000 hectares of southwest WA every year using prescribed fires to keep 45% of the landscape at less than 6 years since last burnt at all times.
- Prescribed fires have destroyed ancient old growth habitat trees, endangered peatlands, wildlife habitats and killed immeasurable numbers of native animals, including threatened species.
- Research shows burning more hectares does not reliably reduce losses from bushfires (Campbell et al., 2022).
- Other states such as Victoria and NSW now use risk-based approaches - not broadscale blanket burning.
Action 1: Write to poltical decision-makers
Contact the WA Environment Minister & Members of Parliament
Why it works
Politicians take note when lots of voters say the same thing.
What to include:
- Who you are: Resident of [your town/suburb].
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Why you care:
- Smoke-related health concerns.
- Loss of biodiversity.
- Increased fire risk.
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What you want:
- End broadscale hectare and area-based targets.
- Use strategic, risk-based fire managment approaches.
- Invest in early fire detection and rapid suppression.
- Fund and support Aboriginal cultural fire programs.
Action 2: Join the Community
Be Part of FaBWA
Ways to connect
- Follow FaBWA on Facebook for updates.
- Attend local forums, workshops, field trips and rallies.
Community power = shared stories + stronger pressure for reform.
Action 3: Share Your Story
Add Your Voice to the Record
Have you experienced
- Smoke haze affecting your family?
- Wildlife loss after a burn?
- Fear from escaped fires?
Share your story (words, photos, video) via the FaBWA Stories page.
Why it matters: Real voices move hearts and influence decision-makers more than statistics alone.
Action 4 : Support Change
Spread the Word
Share research and stories on social media.
Sign petitions when FaBWA and partners release them.
Volunteer your time, skills, or contacts.
Every small action adds weight to the push for smarter fire management.
Action 5: Donate to Support Change
Back the Work That Protects WA’s Forests and Communities
FaBWA is volunteer-driven. Donations help us
- Gather and share evidence of burn impacts.
- Support Aboriginal Elders, Traditional Custodians, scientists and locals telling their stories.
- Run education campaigns and fact-based reports.
Why donating matters:
Every dollar goes into evidence, education, and advocacy — making sure decision-makers see the ecological, cultural and social costs of current practices.
FaBWA is a not-for-profit initiative. Donations are used only for community education, research, and advocacy. Transparent financial reports available on request.
Common Questions
No. FaBWA supports fire where it’s strategic and safe: near human settlements, important assets and infrastructure, conducted in the right season and time, and led or guided by Aboriginal cultural knowledge and principles.
No. It means stopping frequent broadscale burning to achieve hectare (area-based) quotas and focusing burning only where and if it will effectively protect people and property.
Early detection and rapid fire suppression, home protection measures, strategic risk-based burning and supporting Aboriginal cultural fire practices and principles.
Your Action = Our Future
Every message, every donation, every shared story makes it harder for decision-makers to ignore. Together, we can:
Protect people from smoke and runaway burns.
Protect wildlife and ancient forests from destruction.
Protect WA communities with smarter, proven fire management.
