Grim fire warning

One small ember is all it takes to cause a disaster, Bunbury Volunteer Bushfire Brigade captain Terri Kowal has warned on her return from fires in the Eastern States.

Volunteers from the Bunbury brigade, and several other volunteer organisations from the South West, have been fighting some of the catastrophic fires burning over east. Returning from New South Wales, where more than 60 blazes are still destroying the State, Ms Kowal said South West residents should take note.

Ms Kowal heard devastating horror stories from local residents who lost everything but “never thought it would happen to them”.

“It’s just devastating being there, you really feel for the people living in those areas. As if they’re not contending enough with the drought, now they’re losing their homes,” she said.

“You’re there trying to help and do what you can but you still feel helpless to some degree.”

As much of WA claims its hottest November temperatures on record and the State gears up for its own bushfire season, Ms Kowal urged South West residents not to be complacent.

“People need to start taking on board what’s happening on the east coast and realise that can happen here,” she said.

“If you live a few kilometres from the bush you need to think about preparation around your home.

“Just because you can’t see bushland on your front door, doesn’t mean you won’t be impacted.

“If the conditions are right anyone can be affected. It’s not always just direct fire, it could just be ember attacks that happen before or after a fire … one small ember is all it takes to cause a disaster or someone to lose their home ultimately.”

Ms Kowal and four other volunteers from the Bunbury Bushfire Brigade recently spent a week in the rural area of Yarrowitch, NSW.

She said the drought was unlike anything she had seen in her life.

“I spoke to locals that had cattle that hadn’t had a drink of water for three days … as much as we’re mindful and careful with water usage here, over there you just don’t use it unless you absolutely had to,” Ms Kowal said.

“They’ve got waterfalls that have stopped flowing for eight days, the last time that happened was in 1947 and it only stopped flowing for less than 24 hours.”

Main tasks for the Bunbury firefighters was asset protection and back burning at night. When they arrived the blaze stretched over a 14km, overnight it grew to 200km. By the time the local crews left it had spread up to 800km.