A large bushfire is burning out of control in Western Australia's south-west.
The fire started in a plantation near Dwellingup this morning.
It has burnt through 300 hectares of bush.
Regards Glen
Dwellingup large bushfire is burning out of control.
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Dwellingup bush fire - Issued: Monday, 23 January 2006 1:22 PM
Fire crews have began to make in-roads into controlling the bushfire that is burning though Lane Poole Reserve, south-east of Dwellingup.
Department of Conservation and Land Management State Duty Officer Terry Maher said fire crews, with the assistance of heavy machinery and water bombing aircraft, had managed to contain the bushfire on the east side of the Murray River.
Mr Maher said that while the east side was contained there was still a lot of work to be done to consolidate the bushfire on the west side, which was proving extremely difficult due to the rocky steep terrain.
“We have got 160 fire crew and incident control officers working on the bushfire, but the heavy fuels and
difficult access has made it an extremely hard bushfire to control,” he said.
“Even though the east side is contained, there is still the possibility that the fire will grow in size before being contained around the perimeter. It is a significant undertaking and extremely back-breaking work for the fire crews in the field.
“The main priority at present is to concentrate fire suppression efforts on the westerly and northern flanks of the fire with the intention of letting it fall back from Nango Road to Driver Road – an area which was controlled burned in Spring 2005.”
Mr Maher said the deliberately lit bushfire had burned through around 2000 hectares of conservation lands and 250 hectares of private property blue-gum plantation since yesterday morning.
Fire suppression efforts have involved officers from CALM, Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA), the Shire of Murray and Waroona bushfire brigades. Assistance has also been provided by WA Police, State Emergency Services, WA Plantation Resources and Alcoa.
CALM is continuing to work towards having the bushfire contained before the development of thunderstorms associated with the deteriorating Cyclone Daryl impact the mid-west and south-west in the next few days.
Mr Maher said Lane Poole Reserve would remain closed for the next few days and surveillance and road blocks would continue through today and tomorrow.
“We have also advised property owners to the south of Dwellingup and to the east of Waroona, Yarloop and Coolup to be aware of the fire situation and have a ready fire preparedness plan for their household,” he said.
The State Emergency Response Plan has been implemented to ensure the protection of the community. There is no immediate threat to private property from the bushfire.
CALM has urged people driving in the area to take care due to the heavy smoke. It is anticipated that the bushfire may cause some haze in Perth metropolitan area. People with health conditions exacerbated by smoke are asked to follow the advice of their health practitioner.
Dwellingup bush fire - Issued: Monday, 23 January 2006 1:22 PM
Fire crews have began to make in-roads into controlling the bushfire that is burning though Lane Poole Reserve, south-east of Dwellingup.
Department of Conservation and Land Management State Duty Officer Terry Maher said fire crews, with the assistance of heavy machinery and water bombing aircraft, had managed to contain the bushfire on the east side of the Murray River.
Mr Maher said that while the east side was contained there was still a lot of work to be done to consolidate the bushfire on the west side, which was proving extremely difficult due to the rocky steep terrain.
“We have got 160 fire crew and incident control officers working on the bushfire, but the heavy fuels and
difficult access has made it an extremely hard bushfire to control,” he said.
“Even though the east side is contained, there is still the possibility that the fire will grow in size before being contained around the perimeter. It is a significant undertaking and extremely back-breaking work for the fire crews in the field.
“The main priority at present is to concentrate fire suppression efforts on the westerly and northern flanks of the fire with the intention of letting it fall back from Nango Road to Driver Road – an area which was controlled burned in Spring 2005.”
Mr Maher said the deliberately lit bushfire had burned through around 2000 hectares of conservation lands and 250 hectares of private property blue-gum plantation since yesterday morning.
Fire suppression efforts have involved officers from CALM, Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA), the Shire of Murray and Waroona bushfire brigades. Assistance has also been provided by WA Police, State Emergency Services, WA Plantation Resources and Alcoa.
CALM is continuing to work towards having the bushfire contained before the development of thunderstorms associated with the deteriorating Cyclone Daryl impact the mid-west and south-west in the next few days.
Mr Maher said Lane Poole Reserve would remain closed for the next few days and surveillance and road blocks would continue through today and tomorrow.
“We have also advised property owners to the south of Dwellingup and to the east of Waroona, Yarloop and Coolup to be aware of the fire situation and have a ready fire preparedness plan for their household,” he said.
The State Emergency Response Plan has been implemented to ensure the protection of the community. There is no immediate threat to private property from the bushfire.
CALM has urged people driving in the area to take care due to the heavy smoke. It is anticipated that the bushfire may cause some haze in Perth metropolitan area. People with health conditions exacerbated by smoke are asked to follow the advice of their health practitioner.