Community representatives have thanked the firefighters who fought to extinguish a bushfire in Capel last week.
According to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, crews responded to a 000 call regarding a bushfire at 11.44am on Wednesday, March 27.
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service personnel descended upon the area, before water bombers and helitacs were called to help contain the blaze.
The fire first began in bushland close to the Goodward Road/Hawley Parkway intersection.
A Watch and Act alert was issued at 1.44pm - and again at 4pm - for people bounded by Goodwood Rd, Hawley Parkway, Spurr Street, and Prowse Road.
With the flames moving in a north-westerly direction in the afternoon, the fire provided a "possible threat" to lives and nearby homes.
Residents were urged to leave or prepare to defend their properties.
Shire personnel were tasked with closing nearby roads and advising drivers to avoid the area.
An Advice alert was issued at 5.30pm, while firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
Advice alerts were issued again on Thursday and Friday, as fire crews continued to monitor the area.
Approximately 25 hectares overall were burnt in the blaze.
According to Shire personnel, the fire began after a dust storm, or 'willy willy', blew through a controlled burn on farmland.
Shire of Capel chief bush fire control officer Chris Scott thanked all the volunteers for their assistance during last week's operation.
"You cannot question the volunteers' level of commitment," he said.
"They were there within ten minutes of the call going out and they all work well together...their response times were really good.
Mr Scott urged all South West residents to take precautions ahead of and during bushfire season.
"Create an evacuation plan and run through it with your family," he said.
"Don't ever say, 'It will never happen to us'.
"I very nearly did happen in this instance. It almost happened in Gelorup [in January], as well."
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