Fire safety alert

Wallcliffe fire brigade snapper Sean Blocksidge unveiled this amazing picture this week to drive home the point about bushfire safety this summer.

Local volunteer brigades are on standby as the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River brought forward the prohibited burning season this week.

The photo, of volunteer Ed Stucken and a rescued baby bobtail skink, underscores the threat to the region’s native species from illegally lit fires.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be careful this fire season when doing anything outdoors that may spark a fire,” the brigade said on social media. “The bush is tinder dry and we don’t want to see anything like New South Wales and Queensland happening here.”

The total fire ban remains in effect until it is lifted next year.

Shire chief bushfire control officer David Holland said the decision was made based on unfavourable weather forecasts and dry conditions.

“We are seeing a combination of dry soil and fuel loads, together with strong forecast winds and high daytime temperatures,” he said.

“It’s a precaution to serve against stray embers escaping otherwise contained fires and causing havoc for our firefighters and our community.”