Shire brigades and professionals quick to pounce on Treeton bushfire

The region’s volunteer firefighters pounced on a blaze near Treeton on Friday afternoon and credit quick intervention and support from water bombers from averting another possible full scale fire. The fire broke out near Canebrake, close to the site of a blaze in December which was still under investigation, with Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and local Department of Fire and Emergency Services brigades despatched following a Triple-0 call. Parks and Wildlife firefighters were also on the scene, with aerial support from Perth, with more than 240ha burnt. While the blaze was brought under control quickly, it has triggered further warnings from authorities about extremely dry conditions which could lengthen the summer fire season. “Residents are urged to continue maintaining fire preparedness measures for their property throughout bushfire season,” Shire community emergency services manager Adam Jasper said. “Keep grasses short, clear accumulating branches and leaf litter, check your gutters, and ensure your firebreaks are accessible by fire appliances. “Make sure you and your family have a fire plan and have an evacuation kit ready to go.” Wallcliffe Volunteer Bushfire Brigade echoed the call on social media, describing Friday’s fire as “a little intense”. “It’s a very timely reminder we are in the peak of bushfire season and the bush is tinder dry at the moment,” a brigade spokesperson said. “It’s usually around this time of year people start becoming a bit complacent about their bushfire preparedness. “We’re here to say it’s frighteningly dry out there this summer and you need to be at the top of your game in being prepared.” Firefighters described intense conditions during last week’s bushfire which occurred in challenging conditions despite the good result. Crews described ember attacks and the fire leaping across the bush, with spot fires and suppression efforts key to restraining the blaze before it got out of control. “Fire crews with aerial support did a great job holding the containment line on the northern edge of the fire and stopped the spread before nightfall,” Wallcliffe said. Mr Jasper reminded residents the prohibited burning period meant campfires, open-flame cooking, and any outdoor fires were banned. “We still have several more months of hot weather to go, fuel loads are very dry, and the risk of fire remains very high,” he said. Residents were again urged to prepare for bushfires via mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au and to report all signs of fire immediately.