- Blaze comes within metres of homes
- Waroona bushfire intensifies overnight
- Waroona 'demon fire' destroys homes
- Roads closed due to Waroona bushfires
- Update provided at Leschenault evacuation centre
- Southbound 2016 cancelled due to fire
- Residents evacuated to Pinjarra
- Traffic diverted through Collie
- Emergency declared for Harvey
- Evacuation centre opened in Australind
- Fire forces closure of petrol stations
- Man airlifted to hospital with burn injuries
- Drakesbrook Winery's vineyards wiped out
- Smoke cloud detected on weather radar
- Community opens doors to those in need
- Perth woman's car dies during detour
- Ash rains down on Bunbury CBD
- Bushfire smoke descends on Busselton
A Shire of Augusta Margaret River Bush Fire Brigade and Volunteer Fire and Rescue taskforce was sent to assist at the Waroona fires early Thursday morning.
Crews from Cowaramup, Rosa Brook, Wallcliffe, Witchcliffe and Margaret VFRS left Margaret River shortly after 3.30am this morning January 7, 2016.
Shire community emergency services manager Nathan Hall is attending as taskforce leader and Witchcliffe Fire Control Officer, Diane Holland is acting as the volunteer liaison officer.
The team is currently working to protect lives, homes and infrastructure near Wagerup Refinery and will be relieved by a night shift crew at 6pm this evening.
The shire received a call from the crew about 12pm, Thursday to say the fires were "absolute mayhem".
“We send our best wishes to all members of the taskforce and thank them for their efforts in providing support to our neighbours,” Shire Chief Bush Fire Control Officer David Holland said.
“All local brigades have been placed on high alert and contingencies have been put into place to ensure that our Shire is well protected from the possibility of fire in our own region.”
Mr Holland urged local residents to stay alert and prepared this bushfire season.
“Our community knows all too well the impact of fire,” he said.
“Please ensure you stay prepared with maintained fire breaks, clean gutters, cleared building protection zones and slashed grass.
“If you haven’t got a bush fire action plan write one now.
“Adhere to fire bans and report all instances fire to 000 at the earliest opportunity.”
For more information on fire preparedness visit www.amrshire.wa.gov.au
