- Government and fire authorities warn about
severe bushfire season
- Firefighters concerned over low numbers of
bushfire plans in WA
- Authorities warn against complacency and urge
preparedness
With the
threat of a severe bushfire season, the Cook Government and fire authorities are
appealing to the public to spend 15 minutes making a bushfire plan and be
prepared.
Emergency
Services Minister Stephen Dawson said research reveals more than a third of
Western Australians believe there is no risk in their neighbourhood.
The
Department of Fire and Emergency Services launched its annual bushfire safety
campaign today, which highlights how easy it is to make a plan which could save
your life.
More
than 93 per cent of WA is bushfire-prone, but research by DFES, after last
bushfire season, found more than 40 per cent of respondents did not think they
needed a plan because they thought they lived in a low-risk suburb.
The
research indicated a further 27 per cent of respondents intended to create a
bushfire plan using the DFES app, but still hadn't got around to it.
Recent
blazes in Kings Park, Bold Park and Piara Waters have shown that even
high-density suburban areas can be threatened by bushfires with burning embers capable
of travelling up to 20km in strong winds.
Since
early October, there have been 376 large bushfires that have burned more than
4.2 million hectares across the State, while 11 emergency warnings have been
issued for blazes that threatened lives and homes.
With an
early start to the bushfire season, the Cook Government and fire authorities
recently announced the early activation of the aerial fleet to support
firefighters.
The My
Bushfire Plan app and website helps users make the critical choice of leaving
early or staying to defend and has important prompts including what to do with
pets, what is needed to evacuate and ensuring everyone in the household knows
the plan and their role.
Visit www.mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au or download the app on the Apple Store or Google Play to create a
bushfire plan.
The Cook Government is investing more than
$140 million to upgrade emergency services vehicles and facilities across the
State.
Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"With an
early start to this year's bushfire season – one that is promising to be severe
– it's imperative that every Western Australian household is ready to respond
to the threat of a bushfire.
"Given
the recent spate of fires it's disturbing that some Western Australians still don't
seem to be getting the message – the time to prepare is now.
"To boost
community safety the Cook Government is investing more than $140 million in
providing new equipment and facilities to support our firefighters, as well as
injecting $5.7 million into bushfire mitigation activities.
"We have
activated our aerial fleet in response to the early start to the season and we are
funding a Large Air Tanker (LAT) to be based in Western Australia to support
ground crews.
"The LAT
will operate alongside more than 30 other aircraft in our firefighting fleet.
"I want
to take this opportunity to thank our emergency services personnel and
volunteers across the State who have worked hard to prepare their communities
for bushfire season.
"Now the
focus is on all Western Australians to play their part and make a bushfire
plan."
Comments attributed to Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm
AFSM:
"Time is
running out for Western Australians to get their bushfire plans in place before
the hot, dry weather arrives in full force and ferocious fires are on our
doorstep.
"Important
questions to ask include what are your options to escape, where will you shelter
if you can't leave, are your essential items in an easy to find location and do
you have a battery operated radio to stay informed if you lose phone reception?
"The
numbers are stark – more than 93 per cent of the State is bushfire prone yet only
1 per cent of households have a recorded bushfire plan.
"It only
takes 15 minutes to make a bushfire plan and it could save your life. Don't
leave it too late – prepare your plan now because making decisions while under
threat is extremely difficult, stressful and dangerous."
Key statistics:
·
Bushfires have burnt more than 11 million
hectares across WA since July.
·
According to DFES research in April 2023, a
quarter of Western Australians believe they are well-prepared for a bushfire
and 41 per cent feel they are not.
·
The top five suburbs for completed plans are
Roleystone (264), Baldivis (203), Margaret River (188), Kalamunda (183) and
Darlington (168).
·
Between 1 December 2022 and 31 March 2023, 2307
bushfires were reported across the State.
·
DFES issued 2,556 bushfire warnings last financial
year.
·
1,357 bushfire mitigation treatments were
completed by local government last financial year.
