As Western Australia’s softwood plantation estate extends into new landscapes across the Southwest, the FPC is committed to building fire management capacity to protect these assets and local communities from the threat of fire.
As well as building internal capacity the FPC is working to develop alliances with volunteer bushfire brigades managed by local governments and strengthen existing arrangements with the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
The Forest Industry Federation of Western Australia (FIFWA) Plantation Managers Fire Agreement remains an important tool for protecting plantations in regional communities. Under this agreement, forest managers including FPC share suppression resources, collaborate on mitigation measures and promote plantation values in fire situations.
Fire training
Show moreThe Plantation Firefighter training module, which FPC helped develop alongside DFES, provides participants with a better understanding of fire mitigation, response and communications strategies for plantation fire incidents.
It is targeted for bushfire brigade members in districts which are home to softwood plantations, however all FPC fire staff also undertake the training as part of their development.
Experienced FPC, DFES and FIFWA staff deliver the training up to five times per year to accommodate LG requests and help promote more effective, coordinated fire responses in the regions where we work.
Undertaking training together helps to build relationships and trust that makes for a more effective response in the event of an incident.
Fire mitigation measures
Show moreThe FPC designs its plantations in line with the Guidelines for Plantation Fire Protection (DFES 2011) which establishes parameters for infrastructure setbacks, compartment size, firebreak dimensions and firefighting water supplies.
Firebreaks are maintained annually through a combination of herbicide application, cultivation and pruning.
Waterpoints are sign posted and checked regularly for access and reliability.
Operational controls
Show moreThe FPC imposes restrictions on forest operations during the high fire threat period according to the prevailing fire danger and the site fire hazard. Forest operations contractors are also required to have suppression equipment on site at all times during this period.
Fire management maps
Show moreIndividual plantation maps with fire management information can be found under the relevant local government area page below.
