The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has launched its summer bushfire safety campaign, warning the public to make sure they have a workable bushfire plan to protect their homes and properties.
The Service’s campaign directs people to the My Bushfire Plan app and website, which is usable by the community to create a plan.
In a statement, the DFES said it was expecting an earlier start to the bushfire season this year, which would be challenging and unpredictable with extreme heat and windy conditions.
It noted that between 1 December 2021 and 28 February this year, 1,751 bushfires had been reported across the State, burning more than 1.2 million hectares of land.
A record 3,528 bushfire warnings were issued in the past financial year.
“Despite these figures, just 16 per cent of Western Australians recognise they are at risk of bushfire by completing a bushfire plan,” the Department said.
“The DFES is ensuring WA is well prepared for bushfire season, recruiting and training an additional 60 firefighters and supplying 42 new appliances to career and volunteer fire stations across the State since January.”
It comes as a new state-of-the-art fire station in Cardup was announced as part of a plan to future-proof demand for emergency services in the South-East.
Commissioner for Emergency Services, Darren Klemm said bushfires were now burning for longer and more intensely than in previous decades.
“Everyone in WA needs to have a bushfire plan because around 90 per cent of the State is bushfire-prone,” Commissioner Klemm said.
“Having a plan helps you answer three critical questions when threatened by a bushfire: When will you leave, where will you go and how will you get there?”
He said those who already had a plan in place should review it before the start of each bushfire season.
“Having an up-to-date plan could save your life. Search My Bushfire Plan to create or update your plan today,” Commissioner Klemm said.
Readers intending to produce a plan can accessed the Department’s advice at this PS News link.
