Gippsland wildlife populations recovering from Black Summer devastation now face ‘obscene’ new fire threat

Five years on from the Black Summer bushfires, a planned burn-off in the state’s east has sparked alarm for our native wildlife.

Susie Pulis from the Waterholes Wildlife Sanctuary is calling for a pause and a review of the burn-off. Picture: Alex Coppel

Wildlife carers fear a large burn-off planned in the state’s east will harm native animal populations still recovering from the Black Summer fires five years ago.

A burn-off is scheduled this week for 2660 hectares in the Nicholson River valley, north of Bairnsdale in Gippsland.

But wildlife rescuers say that injured koalas and kangaroos that were saved and rehabilitated back into bushland now face a new threat from the blaze.

And it comes after another Forest Fire Management burn-off in a neighbouring valley burnt out of control last month.

Susie Pulis, from the Waterholes Wildlife Sanctuary located just south of the fire zone, called for a pause and a review of the burn-off.

“We need to look after the wildlife that’s there. I don’t feel safe and I certainly don’t trust them to burn safely.’’

Susie Pulis at Waterholes Wildlife Sanctuary with rescued joeys. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Ms Pulis said wildlife populations in the area were still recovering.

“We went through the fires five years ago and now we see this – it’s really worrying.

“I hope this doesn’t get out of control.

“The habitat is extremely young – five years only of growth.’’

Forest Fire Management announced it would burn off 26,404 hectares in the coming five to 10 years around the upper reaches of the Nicholson River in the Yowen-Burrun State Forest.

The Herald Sun was told the initial target area would be just 300 to 500 hectares but this week’s announcement was for an area more than five times that.

Ms Pulis said the timing of the burn-off also meant many animals such as snakes were hunkering down for the winter and would be caught by the flames.

Regrowth in the Gippsland bush is continuing after the Black Summer devastation.

“We have some many species here including the Powerful Owl. The impact is immeasurable.

“It is far too soon to burn such critical habitat for bush fire survivors, their off spring and the sanctuary’s released animals.’’

FFMV regional manager Peter Brick said the area was impacted by uncontrollable fires in 2020 and in 2007.

“To reduce the risk of this happening again it is critical we seize every available opportunity.

The area is a known Powerful Owl habitat.

“The Marthavale – Barmouth Spur fuel reduction burn will be delivered over a five to 10-year period to provide community and environmental protection against bushfire.

“Reducing bushfire risk to Victorian communities and the environment is our priority and we do it through the delivery of low-intensity fire, mechanical treatments and responding to emergencies when they occur.”

But Shelly Nundra from Gippsland Community Fire Watch described the planned burn-off as “obscene”.

“We just can’t trust FFMV to light fires and contain them after the recent Wonnangatta escaped plan burn debacle.’’

Last month fires raged for days in nearby Wonnangatta Valley, triggered by Forest Fire Management burns that got out of control.

Originally published as Gippsland wildlife populations recovering from Black Summer devastation now face ‘obscene’ new fire threat