Firefighters urge residents to prepare for summer with high-risk areas at Prevelly, Gnarabup and the coast

Authorities are warning peak conditions mean preparing for this summer’s bushfire season is more essential than ever. The warning went out this week as the Bureau of Meteorology said La Nina conditions would see big parts of the State face extreme bushfire risks. Shire community emergency services manager Adam Jasper said residents could get on the front foot with a range of actions around the home before the “high threat” season started. “A bushfire plan can help keep you and your family safe,” he said. “If you don’t have one, now is the time to sit down and develop one. You can easily prepare one on your smartphone and have it with you at all times.” Volunteer firefighters across the district remained mildly frustrated so many residents were yet to develop bushfire-ready action plans despite constant warnings. On social media, Wallcliffe Volunteer Bushfire Brigade repeated warnings a fire truck would not always be available in case of emergency and homes were most at risk from embers rather than direct fire attack. “This is where burning embers carried by strong winds land on material that easily burns, such as vegetation close to the home,” a spokesman said. “We are seeing multiple properties in the high fire-risk areas of Prevelly and Gnarabup that have high fuel loads and overhanging trees and branches surrounding their homes. This needs to be reduced. “You need to immediately start cleaning and clearing around your house and doing burn piles and practising your fire plan before the restricted fire season begins on November 9,” a spokesman said. “Double thumbs-up to the residents who have been actively preparing. “We see those little puffs of smoke from the burn piles in the last few weeks and you put a smile on our dial.” Mr Jasper also said a new Australian Fire Danger Rating System was in effect this year to make dangerous conditions more clear. A text message system was also in place for people affected by Harvest Vehicle Movement Bans, with registrations for alerts via amrfire@amrshire.wa.gov.au. For more information on preparedness, visit mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au.