Many WA National campgrounds, parks and reserves currently closed

Published: Thursday, 05 February 2015 17:29

Due to bushfires in Boddington and Northcliffe areas.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife has closed 18 national parks and reserves and 36 recreation sites including tracks and trails in various parts of the State due to the significant Northcliffe and Lower Hotham fires in the State's south-west.

Parks and Wildlife Director General Jim Sharp said the Department had redirected staff resources towards fire suppression for the Northcliffe fire in addition to the Lower Hotham and a number of other smaller fires in other parts of the south-west.

"More than 600 staff members are involved in the fires, with officers from as far north as Kununurra and inland to the Goldfields travelling to Perth and the south-west to assist with fire suppression,” he said. “They are working with bushfire volunteers, staff from Department of Fire and Emergency Services and other agencies, and Victorian firefighters.”

"Protecting human life and property is our number one concern, as such we have closed 18 national parks and recreation sites throughout the State including parts of Kalbarri National Park in the north through to parks and reserves in Perth Hills and campgrounds in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

"Importantly all national parks and recreation sites in the Warren Region have been closed due to the proximity to the Northcliffe fire.

"These closures have enabled staff from around other regions of the State to relieve firefighters and supporting officers on the fire ground.

"Our firefighters work in 12 hours shifts five days straight in hot, hazardous and challenging conditions. Management of fatigue is a key priority for us and to that end we welcomed the assistance of firefighters from Victoria earlier this week."

Mr Sharp said the closures of these national parks and recreation attractions would ensure public safety is maintained.

Many other national parks around the State remain open. For more information on parks and recreation sites please visit parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au. For information on closures and to keep up-to-date please view www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/parks/alerts-and-updates or the Parks and Wildlife Facebook page www.facebook.com/DPaWWA

National parks and reserves, and recreation sites closures include:

Serpentine National Park
Avon Valley National Park
Walyunga National Park
Lane Poole Reserve
Wellington National Park
Boorara-Gardner National Park including Boorara Tree and Lane Poole Falls
D'Entrecasteaux National Park including Camfield, Banksia camp, Crystal Springs and Yeagarup beach
Gloucester National Park including Gloucester Tree
Greater Hawke National Park, including Yeagarup Lake
Jane National Park
Mount Frankland South National Park
Shannon National Park including Great Forest Trees drive and Shannon campground
Walpole Nornalup National Park including Valley of the Giants, Longpoint Track and Fernhook Falls
Warren National Park
Two People Bay Nature Reserve
Stirling Range National Park including Bluff Knoll and Toolbrunup walktrails
Porongurup National Park including Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock, Tree-in-the-Rock, Nancy Peak Circuit
Waychinicup National Park
Hoffmans Mill
Stockton Lake
Contos, Boranup and Point Road camp sites within Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Brockman Sawpits
Z-Bend and The Loop In Kalbarri National Park

Track and Trail closures include:

Cape to Cape Track - major recreation sites in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Munda Biddi
Bibbulmun Track
Helena National Park - between Randall Road and Dale Road
Dwellingup to Collie - between Dwellingup and Harris Dam Road
Wellington National Park – Wellington Spur Trail
Pemberton to Walpole, including Northcliffe

Dwellingup to Ferguson Road including Collie
Pemberton to Walpole, includingNorthcliffe



Media contact: Parks and Wildlife Media 9219 9999