Suspected arson sparks bushfire season warning from South West firefighters

South West fire crews were kept busy by a series of suspicious bushfires in Eaton and Australind earlier in November, sparking a warning from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and bushfire brigades. DFES South West Supt Andrew Wright said there had been reports of a few fires in and around the region, some of which were deliberately lit. “The information we received when we attended those fires has been passed on to police and they will do their necessary investigations,” he said. “We’re asking that people report any suspicious behaviour to police.” Mr Wright said it was a timely reminder for people to get their properties ready for summer. “There is no time like the present for people to prepare their properties to make sure they’ve got a bushfire plan,” he said. “We know we’ve got a lot of extra growth this year with the extra rainfall we had. “We don’t know how bad it’s going to be yet, but we do know we will definitely get bushfires.” Bunbury Volunteer Fire and Rescue Capt. John Kowal said the impact fires had on people and communities was devastating, yet many people still underestimated fires. “We’ve ... seen some horrific fires impacting on local communities,” he said. “The words that echo in our minds is ‘I’ve lost everything’, and that — to us and the people involved — is just devastating.” “A lot of people underestimate the impact of a fire, from house fires right through to bushfires that impact local communities. “They underestimate the ferocity of a fire. It takes everything in its path.” He said people needed to make a plan well ahead of time. “That’s why we urge people to plan beforehand, because you never know when that fire may impact your area,” he said. “At a moment’s notice you may be required to evacuate, and you may only have a matter of moments before you have to be out,” he said. DFES community preparedness adviser Sandy Cheema urged people to download the My Bushfire Plan app. “Make a plan, prepare your emergency kit, know where to obtain information and practise, practise, practise,” she said.