PARK WATCH Article March 2026 |

Jordan Crook, Parks and Nature Campaigner, looks at how recent bushfires have affected Victorian parks

From mid-January 2026 bushfires raged across parts of Victoria. Our thoughts are with the people and wildlife affected. And we’re grateful for the many volunteer and forest fire fighters on the front line, and emergency services including SES and volunteer wildlife rescuers.

Wyperfeld National Park (Wotjobaluk Country)

This fire burnt almost 60,000 ha impacting critical habitat for Wilkerr/ Dingoes (Canis dingo), Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata), Pink Cockatoos (Cacatua leadbeateri) and other fire-sensitive Mallee wildlife. Large-scale fire across continuous habitat has likely altered shelter and food availability. This will affect movement patterns for surviving wildlife, creating both immediate and longer-term pressures.

For the genetically distinct and geographically isolated Wilkerr population, already estimated to number fewer than 100 individuals, post-fire management will be especially important. Wilkerr play a key role in regulating foxes and feral cats, whose populations often increase following fire. This can have big impacts on recovering native wildlife. Broad-scale fox baiting following fire should not occur where Wilkerr live as they are susceptible to eating poison baits. It may also undermine the natural recovery processes, as fox and cat suppression is supported by Wilkerr presence.

The fires have also affected nesting and foraging habitat for Malleefowl and Pink Cockatoos. Retaining fallen trees and woody debris will be important for maintaining habitat complexity during recovery, providing shelter for reptiles and small mammals, supporting invertebrate communities, and helping stabilise sandy soils. Intensive post-fire ‘clean-up’ approaches that remove this habitat may reduce ecological resilience and slow recovery.

Academics and conservationists have called for targeted support measures such as temporary water points for Wilkerr and other surviving wildlife. While DEECA established several water sources following the fires, further planning and monitoring are needed to make sure water placement supports wildlife within park boundaries, reduces movement pressure toward agricultural interfaces, and assists recovery for wildlife like Red Kangaroos and Emus.

Mt Lawson State Park (Dhudhuroa Country)

Escaped being burnt in the Black Summer fires of 2019-20, but burnt in 2026. The park is known for its Black Cypress Pine Woodland which is fire sensitive, and a small isolated Clay Heathland community (not well represented in existing parks and reserves). It’s also home to threatened wildlife including Mountain Dampiera, Cupped Bush-peas, Barking Owls, Spotted-tailed Quolls and Lace Monitors. Three First Nations art sites are recorded in park.

Wabba Wilderness Park (Yaitmathang Country)

The park was 99 per cent burnt by the 2019-20 Black Summer fires. It’s home to Critically Endangered Booroolong Frogs (Litoria booroolongensis) and Spotted Tree Frosg (Ranoidea spenceri) and Endangered Greater Gliders (Petauroides volans). Feral deer and pigs became a threat after the 2019–20 bushfires and will need immediate action following this fire. Due to the previous bushfire in 2020 and this one in 2026, deep concerns are held for this park’s recovery.

Mt Alexander Regional Park (Dja Dja Wurrung Country)

Current assessments indicate two-thirds of the park has been burnt, including habitat of endemic Critically Endangered Southern Shepherd’s Purse (Ballantinia antipoda). This park is the only place these plants live, so their future is currently uncertain.

The park is also home to the Threatened Victorian Temperate Woodland Bird Community, Vulnerable Brush-tailed Phascogales (Phascogale tapoatafa), and significant recreational assets like Leanganook Camping Area and La Larr Ba Gauwa Park mountain bike tracks.

Other areas

Fires in the Longwood-Ruffy area impacted many small reserves. There’s also a large fire in the Alpine National Park between Dargo and Mt Howitt.

We’ll dig deeper into the fires in Great Otways National Park and Otway Forest Park, and their impacts in the next ParkWatch.

As the climate crisis deepens, bushfires, floods and wind storms are becoming more common. We need proper funding and resources pre and post-fire to make sure habitats and wildlife can recover and adapt.