Recovery operations are an important part of fire management. In NSW national parks, this involves:

  • rescue of wildlife
  • rehabilitation of the landscape, including vegetation
  • restoration of national park infrastructure and damaged property caused by fire control operations
  • helping other agencies with the recovery of local communities. 
  • A eucalypt forest showing the aftermath of a fire. The trunks of several large trees are blackened and charred, indicating they have been burned. Despite the damage, new green growth is emerging from the base of some trees and ferns are thriving among the burnt trunks. The ground is covered with rocks and fallen leaves.
    A eucalypt forest recovers from fire. 
    Credit: Barbara Webster/DCCEEW
    A eucalypt forest recovers from fire.
  • A forest in Warrumbungle National Park showing numerous tall, thin trees with blackened trunks, indicating they have been affected by a fire. The ground is covered in green underbrush and new vegetation, suggesting regrowth after the fire.
    Regrowth after fire, Warrumbungle National Park. 
    Credit: Simone Cottrell/DCCEEW
    Regrowth after fire, Warrumbungle National Park
  • Mountainous landscape in Warrumbungle National Park with a prominent, triangular-shaped mountain covered in sparse vegetation which is recovering from fire. In the background to the left, there is an observatory dome partially visible among the trees. The foreground features lush green foliage.
    Vegetation on the peak is recovering after fire, Warrumbungle National Park. 
    Credit: Simone Cottrell/DCCEEW
    Vegetation on the peak is recovering after fire, Warrumbungle National Park.

Rescue of wildlife

Fire may impact on animals through direct injury and loss of habitat. National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff support wildlife rescue volunteers to rehabilitate and care for native animals affected by fires.

Injured animals may only be rescued and cared for by licensed rehabilitation organisations or individuals. Strategies for the safe rescue of injured wildlife are prepared as part of the fire rehabilitation planning process conducted by NPWS.

During an emergency, we may collect individual animals for care and emergency housing until it is safe to release them back to the wild or to provide an insurance population should they struggle to survive. We work with a range of organisations, including Taronga Conservation Society and other non-government partners to ensure this is done safely.

Rehabilitation of landscapes

After a bushfire or other major incident, such as flooding, local staff work with multi-agency teams to carry out a risk assessment of the affected area. Together they identify the most effective ways to restore the landscape. These are referred to as mitigation options and include:

  • soil erosion control
  • replanting
  • invasive species control.

Generally, native vegetation will recover from fire over time. Following a major incident, NPWS may undertake soil erosion control work, collect seeds for banking and replant areas with local native plants. Soil erosion works are important in areas that fall within water catchments or where river or wetland ecosystems will be affected by sedimentation.

Seed banking allows us to provide an insurance population for plant species should they struggle to survive. We work with a range of organisations, including the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and other non-government partners in this work.

Changes in plant and animal populations can lead to an increase in invasive species in an area affected by fire. Invasive species can compete with native plants and animals for precious resources. We may implement specific weed and feral animal control programs in affected areas to help restore native ecosystems.

Restoration of infrastructure

During a bushfire, national park infrastructure, such as picnic tables, sheds and toilets, may be damaged.

We aim to reopen closed areas and national parks to the public as soon as practical after a fire. This may take time where infrastructure needs to be replaced or where hazards, such as damaged fencing or falling trees, need to be dealt with.

Recovery of communities

Fire can have a devastating effect on local communities. Community members do not have to lose property to suffer fear and anxiety as a result of a bushfire.

Research shows that informed and prepared communities suffer less anxiety and less property loss than unprepared and uninformed communities. NPWS works with other fire authorities to help educate national park neighbours and local communities on the risk of bushfire and being better prepared for the fire season.

When required, we assist other agencies with the recovery of local communities affected by fire or other incidents. We also engage national park neighbours in the development of fire management strategies. 

Go to fire management strategies.

Improving national park recovery outcomes

NPWS conducts debriefs after every bushfire and other incidents, such as floods, in our national parks.

Debriefs often involve other agencies as well as national park neighbours. The aim is to gather information about how the operation was run, the effectiveness of our response, what worked well and what could be improved.

This information is used to inform and develop policies for the:

More information