THE Mundaring Residents and Ratepayers Progress Association (MRRPA) recently hosted WA Forest Alliance (WAFA) senior campaigner Jason Fowler for a community briefing on bushfire risk management.

The session was held at the Hub of the Hills, Mundaring on Thursday, August 6 and was attended by community members, joined by Cr David Grills, Cr Prapti Mehta and the Shire of Mundaring bushfire risk management officer.

The event was also attended by representatives from local volunteer bushfire brigades and the Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association.

Mr Fowler spoke about modern fire management science, including WAFA’s concerns about the role of large-scale prescribed burns by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) as a primary bushfire mitigation strategy.

He said the state should consider stronger emphasis on early detection and rapid suppression, alongside First Nations-led cultural burning and targeted, low-intensity burns designed to protect built areas and sensitive habitat.

The briefing highlighted emerging technology approaches being trialled or discussed across Australia including here in WA’s Southwest, from early-detection systems such as AI smoke detection cameras and gas monitors to tools like thermal imaging drones to support faster remote assessment and response.

MRRPA president Tom Johns said it was concerning to hear current practice prioritised KPIs over risk reduction.

Groups like WAFA question the practices, aiming to find a more balanced approach to bushfire mitigation and management that safeguards communities as well as protecting unique and threatened ecosystems in Mundaring.

MRRPA vice president and former Shire of Mundaring councillor Neridah Zlatnik said volunteer bushfire brigades in the area actively engage in best-practice bushfire mitigation and response.

They use cool, carefully controlled burns and take great care to protect habitat trees and nesting hollows according to Ms Zlatnik.

Mr Fowler said it was time to burn less, on a small and sensitive scale and time to burn better using combined knowledge and rapidly evolving technology.