Firefighters deployed to assist Norseman and east coast efforts

Shire of Augusta Margaret River Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades have again provided support to State firefighting efforts with local Brigade members participating in a Lower South West Taskforce that is currently assisting with the Norseman Complex fires.

The Lower South West Taskforce was formed at the request of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services who is managing these complex of fires and includes brigade members from the local government areas of Manjimup, Harvey as well as the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

Eight members from the Karridale, Witchcliffe, Kudardup and Wallcliffe brigades participated in the contingent that drove to Norseman on Wednesday 1 January with the Witchcliffe 2.4 appliance and a Manjimup appliance.

The original crews returned on Monday 6 January after being replaced by a fresh taskforce crew which included four local members from the Wallcliffe, Rosabrook, and Witchcliffe brigades.

It is expected that this crew will return later this week with the Witchcliffe appliance, however there is the possibility of a further need for new crew members if the fires continue to burn. 

Shire Community Emergency Services Manager Adam Jasper said the crews assisted with a range of tasks including back burning along the Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy, which was vital to be carried out to allow the reopening of the road.

“Due to the diligence and hard work of these crews and others, the highway from Esperance to Kalgoorlie was able to be reopened on Tuesday,” he said.

He commended the efforts of the volunteers representing our Shire, saying it was important for both the Norseman and Augusta Margaret River communities.

“Thank you to these members who have taken time away from their friends, families, and workplaces at a very busy time of year,” he said.

“The Norseman community is deeply grateful for your efforts and your service lends itself well in the event the Shire ever needs to ask for assistance.”

Additional to the support being provided within the state, the Shire Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officer Brett Trunful has also been deployed to New South Wales to assist with the devastating fires currently being experienced across much of the East.

He left early Wednesday morning with a contingent of volunteer and career firefighters from around Western Australian.

Mr Jasper reminded locals while the Shire has been fortunate to avoid any major fires this season so far, the risk was still very real with hot and dry conditions set to continue for several more months.

“Please maintain your properties to standard and ensure you have a fire plan in place,” he said.

“If you do not have a fire plan I urge you to please take five minutes to draft one now using the DFES firechat website at firechat.wa.gov.au