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The Animal Justice Party (AJP) recognises that fire is critical to most Australian ecosystems. In particular, First Nations’ cultural burning may help to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires which is likely to be aggravated by the climate emergency.
During planned burning, animals in the path of the burn must be considered. Where possible, ‘cool burns’ should be used. Emergency bushfire response plans must include non-human animals.
Key Objectives
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Act on the key drivers of climate emergency to mitigate catastrophic fire risk (see our Climate Emergency Policy).
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Prioritize the protection of animals over property and infrastructure.
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Enable quick and effective responses to protect wildlife threatened by major bushfires.
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Require all government authorities to incorporate animals in their fire and disaster plans, including provision of accommodation of companion animals in evacuation centres and integration, funding and training of wildlife rescue services as part of fire management responses (see our Wildlife Care Policy).
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Require businesses, and encourage individuals, to develop and implement a fire response and evacuation plan for animals in their care.
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Report, collate and store data on the impact of fires on animals.
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Create partnerships with First Nations Peoples practising cultural burning to lead fire management nationwide and to assess and monitor impacts and outcomes.
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Adequately fund and staff firefighting responses, especially in the context of hotter, larger and more frequent fires occurring as a result of climate change.
Date first published: 14 August 2024
