Fire and environment campaigners say they are “astonished” the government has rejected an independent enquiry  into the yearly burn-off process, arguing the practice is having a exponentially damaging effect on the environment.

Ecologists and researchers have labelled the parliamentary committee’s decision to not go further with a review into firefighting errors was down to “poor reasoning.”

Denmark councillor and Fire and Biodiversity co-founder Donald Clark told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings he has seen the “devastating” damage burn-offs have done to the South West.

“There’s lots of information and published articles by these very eminent scientists which were just not given any credence at all by the standing committee,” Mr Clark said.

Press PLAY to hear more about the dispute over burn-offs

Bush Fire Front chair John Clark objectively disagreed with arguments prescribed burning was overwrought, telling Gary Adshead he believed WA’s program has been instrumental in avoiding disasters like Black Saturday.

“WA has had bipartisan political support for prescribed burning since the horrible bushfires in 1961 when Dwellingup was burnt to the ground,” Mr Clark said.

“Thank goodness both sides of politics in WA have supported prescribed burning to this day.”

Press PLAY to hear prescribed burning supporters’ view