Firefighters urge residents’ readiness ahead of summer peak bushfire season for Augusta-Margaret River shire

It’s that time of year again when residents are urged to start planning for the high-risk bushfire season. Volunteer firefighters this week noted concerns around complacency in some areas after brigades undertook a major training exercise based on a mid-level catastrophe. A Wallcliffe Fire Services Brigade spokesperson said modelling of the modest incident — a car fire in moderate winds — showed dozens of homes along the coastal scarp were at risk. “We can’t say it enough: complacency is not a plan,” the brigade said on social media. “In a fast-moving fire, there simply won’t be enough firefighting resources to defend every property.” “You must assume you’ll be on your own. Critical decisions — whether to leave early or stay and defend — will need to be made in minutes,” the spokesperson said. “Smoke, heat, and ember attack will arrive quickly, and the situation will be chaotic, confronting, and deeply stressful. Having a clear, practised bushfire plan could be the single thing that makes the difference between safety and tragedy.” The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River echoed those concerns, and not just for coastal residents, in issuing a call for property owners to prepare for the summer. The shire urged residents to develop an emergency plan in case of a bushfire and to be ready to roll in a worst-case scenario. Shire president Julia Jean-Rice said it was vital for all residents to prepare their properties now. “The shire’s firebreak notice outlines the legal obligations for preparing your property, but more importantly, we all have a responsibility to protect our loved ones and the wider community by reducing fire risks around our homes,” she said. “Fire prevention work helps to stop fires from spreading, while firebreaks are essential on all applicable properties to ensure emergency vehicles have safe access. “A fire can’t burn if it doesn’t have fuel. Ideally, you should maintain your gardens and reduce the amount of fuel close to your home to create an asset protection zone which acts as a safety barrier, making it harder for a bushfire to reach your home and reducing the risk from ember attack.” Basic activities include clearing hazards, clearing yards and gutters, mowing long grass and removing flammable items near homes, while firebreaks must be maintained to a 3m standard. Rangers will be inspecting properties from December 1.