Crews save property as bushfires flare

Margaret River firefighters fought two bushfires this week — one at Rosa Brook, and the other at Redgate.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued a watch and act alert on Wednesday for Barrett Road, Rosa Brook Road and Neilson Road, including Blain Road, about 2.30pm.

The bushfire burned about 100ha and was mostly contained as the Times went to press yesterday.

Wallcliffe Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade reported more than 60 firefighters from multiple brigades worked with earthmovers and air-support crews to contain the blaze, saving several houses and sheds.

The cause of the fire was unknown. The other bushfire on Sunday was started by a car fire on Boodjidup Road, according to Margaret River police.

Sergeant Brett Cassidy said a driver was thought to have pulled over when a fire started under the bonnet and the flames caught in nearby bushland.

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River chief bushfire control officer David Holland said nearly 80 firefighters from Wallcliffe, Witchcliffe, Rosa Brook, and Cowaramup fire brigades, Margaret River Fire and Rescue Service, the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services attended and had it under control within two hours.

Mr Holland said Augusta-Margaret River State Emergency Service members were invaluable in reloading the fixed-wing water bombers.

He said residents should call triple-0 if they saw a fire, and updates were provided at emergency.wa. gov.au.

“Please understand that it can take some time to pass information through from the fire ground,” he said.

More information is available on the Shire and DFES websites.