First day of summer bushfires damages iconic Helms Arboretum in WA
The blaze kept Esperance fire crews busy for days. (ABC Esperance: Hayden Smith)
In short:
Helms Arboretum north of Esperance in Western Australia has been significantly damaged by fire.
The location is popular among social media influencers and couples as a wedding venue.
What's next?
Authorities say the park will remain closed until damage is properly assessed and some areas may not be able to be saved.
Brides and grooms, social media influencers and nature lovers may have to adjust their plans this summer after an iconic West Australian venue and biodiversity hotspot was damaged by fire.
As the clock officially ticked over to summer this week, Helms Arboretum on Western Australia's south-east coast was ablaze, with landowners making the decision to evacuate or stay and defend their properties.
A fire that started on farmland spread to the nearby arboretum and nature reserve, burning through a significant portion of the popular venue.
The 800-hectare arboretum is home to more than 120 species of planted trees, some almost 100 years old.
It is also a vital tool for the region's early farmers, who gauged the arboretum's tree growth as an indicator for what to plant on their own properties.
Justin Black says the fire caused extensive damage to Helms Arboretum. (ABC Esperance: Hayden Smith )
Justin Black from WA's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) said the fire burned about 2,400 hectares.
"Some of the areas won't come back, the pine plantation in particular will struggle to survive," he said.
The fire at Gibson, north of Esperance, began in a paddock and soon escalated. (Supplied: Jenn Lavers)
Locals thank emergency services
When the fire alert level was lifted to emergency, local residents and businesses had to decide if they should evacuate or stay and defend.
The local grain receival site at Shark Lake, run by Cooperative Bulk Handling, was closed during the fire and the following day due to the risk of spot fires.
Zone general manager Paul Channon said thankfully no one was hurt and they had now resumed operations.
Across the highway from the arboretum, the owners of a local animal park became more fearful as the afternoon progressed.
"We were pretty worried, because the winds were pretty ferocious there for a wee while," said Esperance Bird and Animal Park co-owner Tracey Lang.
"It's pretty dry out the back, lots of paperbarks and dry swamps — it would have just gone berserk."
They spent the night in Esperance, watching the blaze from afar, and were relieved to find their property and animals unharmed on their return.
Mr Black also thanked the significant number of staff and volunteers who spent the evening and following day fighting the blaze.
The fire endangered animals and property at a neighbouring business. (ABC Esperance: Hayden Smith)
Future growth potential
Helms Arboretum, a popular wedding venue and location for social media influencers and botanists, remains closed.
But Mr Black said his team was using drones and thermal cameras to map the damage and would focus on rehabilitating the site.
"I don't think hope is lost," he said.
"I think we'll find that some areas will grow back quite well and are very resilient. And then other areas, we'll be looking to do work to try to get it back to its former glory.
"There's been some minor infrastructure lost in terms of fences and a little bit of park infrastructure, but the big impacts are around the trees and particularly the pine trees.
"I think in some ways it's a little bit of a blank canvas for us to imagine how to make this place wonderful again for the community of Esperance."
The arboretum is a popular local wedding venue. (Supplied: Taylor Agenbag and Hannah Lister Imagery)
Fire season has just begun
Western Australia's south-east coast is at increased level of fire risk this summer, according to the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council.
The group's most recent seasonal outlook indicates the Mallee and Esperance Plains bioregions and Balladonia are expected to face heightened fire risk, as is the Nullarbor, which received significant rain in 2024, rejuvenating grassland.
It urged landowners to remain vigilant and prepare their properties.
In the month before the official bushfire season began on December 1, WA's Department of Fire and Emergency Services said 18 bushfires greater than one hectare were reported in the Great Southern District, with historically around 170 fires for the entire season.
In regional WA, there have been 12 aerial firefighting deployments since November 1, including the fire at Helms.
Justin Black said the department routinely carried out prescribed burning in the arboretum and there had never been a fire of this size in the reserve before, making it an unusual event for the region.
"It is sad — it is quite significant for the community and for us and our management into the future."