The Department of Fire and Emergency Services announced a severe fire danger rating for the lower South West region on Friday January 8.
Areas include City of Bunbury, Busselton, Shire of Capel, Shire of Dardanup and Shire of Harvey.
It also includes the shires of Augusta Margaret River, Manjimup, Nannup, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Collie and Donnybrook-Balingup.
These are very hot, dry and windy conditions for a bush or grass fire.
If a fire starts and takes hold:
- It will be unpredictable, move very fast and difficult for firefighters to bring under control.
- Spot fires will start and move quickly. Embers may come from many directions.
If you live in or near bush, high fuel loads or a forested area then you are at risk and need to take action:
- Read through your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have one decide what you will do if a fire starts.
- If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option.
- Homes that are prepared to the highest level, have been constructed to bushfire protection levels and are actively defended may provide safety.
- You must be physically and mentally prepared to defend in these conditions.
To find out what the Fire Danger Rating means to you visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au or call 9395 9300 during normal office hours.