Prescribed burn-offs in State forests east of Karragullen causing smoke haze across Perth metro

Perth woke up to a smoky haze on Wednesday morning following prescribed burn-offs, with more planned burns expected over coming weeks.

Hazard reduction burn-offs have been carried out in State forests and private properties just outside of Perth, with the smoke being carried to the city due to easterly winds.

DBCA Regional Manager Benson Todd said ideal conditions meant multiple hazard reduction burn-offs are expected.

“That smoke has come from a number of Parks and Wildlife service prescribed burns east of Dwellngup and in North Bannister, as well as a series of private property burns surrounding the metropolitan area,” Mr Todd said.

“As we move towards the long weekend and the school holidays and the Royal Show and all those important things, we got a number of prescribed burns that we will seek to continue working on this week, and then we will scale back to smaller scale burns that are important for protecting assets like small town sites.”

Another lot of burn-offs east of Karragullen also prompted a smoke alert from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services later on Wednesday.

Mr Todd said the “stable” weather patterns and fuel moistures are “just right” after Winter to conduct low-intensity burn-offs.

“Prescribed burning is the state’s primary bushfire mitigation strategy, they’re critically important to reducing the bushfire risk for this coming summer,” Mr Todd said.

The haze is expected to clear tomorrow however if the smoke does affect you, DFES says to shut doors and windows, turn off air conditions and if driving, turn headlights on.