Australia’s natural beauty is one of its greatest treasures, with national parks drawing visitors from around the globe to witness the country’s unique landscapes and wildlife. However, the delicate balance of managing these protected areas can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, as seen in the recent events at Walpole-Nornalup National Park in Western Australia.
The park, known for its majestic Valley of the Giants and the ancient red tingle forests, has become a hazardous area for visitors following a prescribed burn that went awry. The burn, intended to protect tourist infrastructure, has led to an estimated 180 large trees falling over, creating a dangerous environment that has conservationists and locals deeply concerned.
The aftermath of the burn, which took place two months ago, has left the ground littered with smouldering holes and weakened trees that could topple at any moment. Jason Fowler from the WA Forest Alliance (WAFA) described the situation as quite dangerous, warning that visitors could easily fall into waist-deep holes with hot coals at the bottom. The risk of falling trees, exacerbated by strong winds, has made the area too perilous to enter without proper protective gear.
The planned burn, conducted east of the Valley of the Giants, was meant to safeguard the popular $21 tree-top walk experience that spans 600 metres through the Walpole Wilderness. While the tourist hub remains unscathed, the nearby section of bushland has suffered catastrophic damage, with conservationists arguing that the outcome was predictable and should have been avoided.
Local scientist Uralla Luscombe-Pedro, upon being granted access to the forest, counted 60 fallen trees with diameters of at least 90 cm. She estimates that across the 85 hectares of burned forest, as many as 180 trees have likely fallen. This loss is particularly significant given that only 60 square kilometres of ancient red tingle forest remain worldwide.
Critics of the prescribed burning program, which has not been updated since 1994, argue that it fails to account for the significant changes in climate over the years. Fowler pointed out that the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has continued with outdated practices, leading to the current disaster. A similar prescribed burn in 1997 resulted in the death of 30 trees, an outcome that was deemed unacceptable at the time. Now, 30 years later, the situation has deteriorated even further.
Footage from inside the park shows the devastating impact of the burn, with scorched trunks of protected karri and tingle eucalyptus trees lying broken. Tree hollows, which take decades to form and serve as critical habitats for native birds and mammals, are still smouldering. The methods used to calculate the intensity of the burn have been called into question, with Fowler labelling the result a ‘catastrophe’ and a ‘systemic failure’.
In response to this environmental disaster, WAFA and the Walpole-Nornalup National Park Association are urging the DBCA to halt prescribed burn plans in nearby forests until their processes are thoroughly reviewed. The DBCA, observing caretaker conventions ahead of the state election, has not commented on the fresh allegations but has previously stated that measures were taken to protect large trees during the burn.
Have you ever visited Walpole-Nornalup National Park, or perhaps you’ve had similar experiences in other national parks? What are your thoughts on prescribed burns and their impact on local environments? Share your insights, experiences, and opinions in the comments below.
